On Saturday within the space of 20 minutes, I came across three well known Bolton homeless men with their dogs.

The first was Daymo with his dog “Roxy”. Daymo was gasping for breath and nearly collapsing at the Bradford Street traffic lights. I offered to call an ambulance but he said he was OK and they went on their way.

I then came across Shaun and his dog “Bruce” sleeping in a doorway at the back of the Excellency Banqueting Suite in Salop Street. I asked Shaun why he had not yet been fixed up with a flat and he said it was because he had a dog.

I finally reached Morrisons where I encountered Paul with his little dog “Molly”. I noticed a kind-hearted elderly lady, who said she was going blind, give him a £5 note to get him a breakfast.

There must be hundreds of Bolton council house tenants with dogs, so it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of man to find suitable accommodation for these homeless men and their dogs. Bolton at Home have a lot to answer for and this should not be happening in 2020

Peter Lewis Fairchild