Dog Warden Service
The District Council deals with dog fouling, stray dogs and dog noise through its dog warden service. Run on behalf of the authority by contractor Animal Wardens, the service also provides an educational role to residents by offering advice to dog owners.
- For Straying Dogs call 0845 2417253 or email info@animalwardens.com (24hrs a day, 7 days a week)
- For Dog Noise call 0845 1211 555 - Environmental Health
- For Dog Fouling call 0845 1211 555 - Street Scene
Dog Fouling
Dog waste bins are provided throughout the district to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets.
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 is enforced across the entire district. The law applies to any designated land which is open to the air (on at least one side) and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access, with or without payment. This includes highways with a speed limit of 40 mph or less; pavements; verges; open spaces such as village greens, parks and play areas; and public rights of way such as footpaths and bridleways.
It says that owners must clear up after their dogs! That can be done by using a 'poop scoop' or plastic bag - anything that will safely remove the faeces from the land. They can be disposed of either in a dog waste bin, litter bin or with domestic refuse - in a sealed bag.
If a dog defecates at any time on designated land and a person in charge of the dog at that time fails to remove the faeces from the land, that person is guilty of an offence. It the offence is witnessed then they may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £50. If that fine is left unpaid or contested the Council will take action through the courts which carries fines of up to £1000, a criminal record, and possible court costs.
Stray Dogs
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection (Stray Dog) Regulations 1992, the Council has a duty to appoint a dog warden who is responsible for the seizure of stray dogs.
There is no legal definition of a stray dog. Hambleton considers that a dog may reasonably be treated as a stray if it is roaming freely and not under the control of any person, irrespective of whether it has a home.
If the dog warden has reason to believe that a dog is a stray he may legally seize it and detain it. It is checked for identification and if the address of the owner can be established he will try to contact them before taking the dog to the holding kennels. If has no identification it will be taken straight to the holding kennels.
The dog will remain there until it is claimed by the owner or for up to seven clear days after the date of seizure. If it is not claimed it will be re-homed. Only in extreme circumstances will a dog be 'put to sleep'. This normally happens only if the dog is dangerous or on the advice of a vet if the dog is ill.
The holding kennels can be found at:
The Bungalow
Hollins Close
Tunstall
Nr Catterick
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 7QQ
01748 818496
Noisy Dogs
The Council has a duty to investigate all complaints of noise nuisance, including noise from dogs and other animals. To complain about a noisy dog call the dog warden on 01609 767104. To complain about any other noisy animal contact the Environmental Health team on 0845 1211 555.
The warden will contact both you and the owner of the dog to discuss the complaint and offer advice on preventing or minimising the noise. If the problem persists you may be required to keep records of the dates and times dogs are barking and how you are affected by the noise. Those records will be assessed by a qualified Environmental Health Officer who will decide if there is enough information to warrant further investigation. Whatever the decision, you will be kept informed at all stages of the investigation.
Dangerous Dogs
The Dogs Act 1871 can be used against a dog which is dangerous and not kept under proper control when in a public place and also in places where the dog is on the owner's private property but to which other people have a right of access.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prescribes laws for the ownership of pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. It also places restrictions on other dogs believed to be a danger to the public. It is an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and for a dog to injure any person on private land. Offenders face fines of up to £5000 and/or up to two years imprisonment.
Dangerous dogs should be reported to North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247. The District Council may be asked by the police to seize these dogs.
Other Dog Laws
There are five other laws that apply to dogs - click on the 'further information' section for more details on:
- Control of Dogs Order 1992 - dogs wearing collars
- Animals Act 1971 - dogs on roads, killing dogs worrying livestock
- Road Traffic Act 1988 - dogs injured in road traffic accidents
- Guard Dogs Act 1975 - deals with dogs used to guard premises or property
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 - deals with dogs worrying livestock
- Complain or give feedback
- Enquire about a health & safety issue
- Report a dead animal
- Request a residential pest control service
- Request a business premise pest control service