Diarmuid Gavin and Christine Walkden get behind Blue Cross advice on keeping pets safe in your garden this summer

GETTING out in the garden with our pets is a joy and with the start of summer and garden centres open again, even more of us will be spending time outdoors. To ensure you and your pet can enjoy your garden together, national pet charity Blue Cross is providing top tips on how you can make it a safe space as gardens can hold hidden dangers for our 4 legged friends. Only last week Blue Cross vets treated a cat who was rushed into the charity's animal Hospital in London after eating a lily, while a dog was treated after eating food from a compost heap. Caroline Reay, senior vet at Blue Cross, said:- "We want people to enjoy their gardens with their pets so it's important for owners to think about the space and how they can make it safe and interesting for them to enjoy together."

Here are some top tips to ensure your pet keeps safe when they're out and about exploring the garden:-

► Toxic plants; Think carefully about what plants you use in your garden as some such as lillies, geranium and sweet peas can cause stomach upsets and other symptoms if eaten by pets

► Fix fencing; Be sure to fix any gaps or replace panels that may have been damaged over the winter to keep your pets safely inside your garden.

► Keep sheds locked; These often contain sharp tools and chemicals that can be toxic for pets.

► Avoid the use of fertilisers and weed killers; If you do need to use these, find pet safe versions and ensure your pet isn't in the garden when you use them.

► Cover pond; These are great for attracting wildlife to your garden, but to keep them safe and your pet, ensure they are covered by mesh or fence them off.

► Look out for slugs and snails; These can cause lugworm if eaten by your dog so be sure to keep an eye on your pet when they're out in the garden. If using slug pellets, be careful to use pellets that are non-toxic for pets.

► Compost; If you compost food scraps, make sure they are kept in a sealed container that pets cannot get into

There are also lots of ways you can make your garden more pet friendly too. Trees or platforms around your garden can provide cats with a place to observe the world below, while a digging pit will provide a good hunting ground for your dog. For rabbits a secure run with a shelter on the lawn is best so your pet is safe from predators and can't nibble garden plants. Many plants can also provide stimulation and interest for pets, cats like catnip or catmint for example.

Garden designer and presenter Diarmuid Gavin said:- "My dogs Bowie and Roxie love spending time outdoors, and with the warmer weather this means more time in the garden, which can be a wonderful space to enjoy with your pets. However, us owners need to be aware of the hidden dangers in our backyards that could potentially harm our 4 legged companions. By taking Blue Cross's helpful advice on how to pet proof your garden, we can ensure our pets are able to relax, play and enjoy their outdoor havens."

Horticulturist and presenter Christine Walkden said:- "Dogs have always been an important part of my life, and like us, they fully appreciate the joy that comes with spending time in the garden. You might not think owning a pet and an impressive garden go hand in hand, but with a bit of planning and by selecting certain plants you can create a safe and beautiful space to share this summer and beyond together with your pet."

To contribute to the Blue Cross emergency appeal and help care for homeless pets during lockdown visit:- BlueCross.Org.UK. As a charity, Blue Cross receives no Government funding and relies on donations to continue its vital work helping sick, injured and homeless animals through its re-homing Centres and Animal Hospitals across the country. The charity also provides a pet bereavement support service. For more information visit the charity's website.

Signature Living Hotel fined for food safety breaches

THE operator of Liverpool's 30 James Street Hotel has been ordered to pay a ₤60,000 penalty after pleading guilty to 4 breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations in Liverpool Crown Court. A ₤34,000 fine (plus ₤26,877 in costs) results from inspections made in March 2018 and September 2018 by Liverpool City Council's Environmental HealthTteam, who found the kitchens were filthy and infested with mice; including dead ones. 3 of the 4 breaches were counted as concurrent and the overall fine was reduced by 50%, due to the mitigating factor of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has forced the closure of all Hotels. In his summing up Judge Byrne was severely critical of the management's mishandling of the issue, in systemically failing to oversee and implement the company's own food safety and hygiene policies. The judge also made it clear he recognised the serious nature of the offences, the poor condition of the Hotel and the poor conduct of senior management at the Hotel, who had attempted to divert blame from them selves in ignoring concerns raised by staff. Judge Byrne said:- "This was a failure by the Hotel's senior management who largely ignored concerns raised by others and failed to take action. The Hotel owners should have ensured hygiene standards were met and unfairly attributed blame on others, including the ex-Head Chef and other neighbouring businesses."

The Hotel is owned by Signature Living Hotel Ltd, which is the 'parent company' of 30 James St Ltd. Signature Living Hotel Ltd is controlled by Mr Lawrence Kenwright, who is also a Director of 30 James Street Ltd. 30 James St Ltd was sentenced after entering a guilty plea. The company had previously pleaded not guilty to hygiene offences at an earlier hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, in May 2019. The March 2018 inspection was prompted by a complaint made by a member of the public which resulted in an unannounced food hygiene inspection. The Hotel is a popular venue for weddings and functions and has 2 kitchens; Grand Hall Kitchen on the ground floor and the Carpathia kitchen on the 8th floor. During the inspection, dead mice were found behind cooking equipment in the Hotel's Grand Hall Kitchen and mouse droppings were found on food preparation surfaces next to catering equipment and crockery. In the Carpathia kitchen, Officers found mouse droppings inside frying pans next to the cooker. In both kitchens mouse droppings were found on floor surfaces under cooking equipment and fridge / freezers. Kitchens were unclean with a build up of food debris and grease which provided a food source for pests. There were gaps and holes in the wall, floor and ceiling surfaces which provided rodents with access / entry points. Conditions were so grave that the kitchens were shut down because they presented an:- "imminent risk to health." After the Hotel carried out remedial works Officers revisited a week later and agreed that kitchens could reopen. The Court heard that rodents had been active in the Hotel more or less continuously since January 2016. Pest reports revealed that the Hotel's pest contractor frequently made recommendations to the Hotel management, such as regular 'deep cleaning,' storing food in sealed containers, and filling internal holes. A report in January 2018 contained 26 recommendations, and on 28 February 2018, the Hotel was advised:- "Both kitchens need a deep clean and food removed from floor areas." A further unannounced food hygiene inspection was carried out, on 18 September 2018, during which Officers again found mouse droppings in a storeroom within the Carpathia kitchen and on the floor of the basement storage area.

Councillor Sharon Connor, Cabinet Member for Highways and City Services, said:- "The scene that our Environmental Health Officers found, at 30 James St Hotel, in March 2018, was disgusting and shocking; and not what anyone would expect to find in a prime City Centre establishment like this. Public safety is of paramount importance and to hear that the owners of the Hotel were repeatedly told by their own pest contractor and staff that there was a problem, and to compound that by not acting on recommendations to remedy it, is extremely disappointing. The level of the fine for Signature Living, albeit reduced because of the impact of Covid, reflects the seriousness of the charge and threat to the public's health. I hope this fine will ensure that when the Hotel re-opens their food hygiene standards are of the highest possible standard. I'd like to congratulate our environmental health team on their hard work and persistence, and hope this reassures residents and visitors that we will not tolerate the actions of organisations that put public health at risk."

30 James Street Hotel currently holds a '3' (satisfactory) food hygiene rating following the most recent inspection by the City Council in August 2019. Liverpool City Council Public Protection Division operates the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. The public can check the food hygiene rating of most food business in Liverpool by visiting:- Food.Gov.UK/Ratings.