Dealing with dogs
Our dog wardens are part of the community protection team. They oversee matters relating to dogs, in particular stray dogs and fouling.
Stray dogs
We may seize and detain a dog as a stray if it is found in a public or private place where it should not be and:
- Appears to be without its owner
- Is not under the control of its owner or a person representing them
If we detain a stray dog, we will keep it in a safe and secure kennel until the owner claims it or it is re-homed. We always undertake reasonable enquiries to identify and contact the owner so that they can collect their pet as soon as possible.
If a stray dog is not collected within seven days, we will re-home it if possible. In extreme circumstances, where a dog cannot be re-homed, it may be put to sleep.
If we seize your dog as a stray, you will have to pay a fee before we can release it into your care.
In order to avoid your dog being seized:
- Keep it under control at all times
- Make sure it has a collar and tag which clearly show your name and address or telephone number. It is an offence if you fail to comply with this
We also recommend that your dog is micro-chipped. This will allow us to return your pet to you quickly if we have to detain it.
Stray dog charges
| Service | Fee |
|---|
| Statutory collection fee for a dog collected as a stray |
£25 |
Additional administration charges:
1) If the dog is taken to a kennel
2) If the dog can be returned without being taken to a kennel |
1) £50
2) £30 |
| Kennel fee (per day) |
£8 |
How do I report a stray dog?
If you identify a stray dog or wish to report your dog as lost, please call the stray dog service on 01432 261761. This service operates seven days a week from 8am - 9pm.
How do I report dog fouling?
To request the clean-up of dog mess or a new dog waste bin, please contact us on:
Our dog wardens can’t be everywhere at once, but we will target areas where dog fouling has been raised as a concern. Community protection officers will support our wardens in this.
If you fail to remove your dog’s faeces, you may be issued with a Dog Control Order. This could mean an £80 fixed penalty notice, or even prosecution.
There is no excuse for failing to clean up after your dog. We will take a robust approach when offences are committed.
Dog fouling penalties
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|
| Dog fouling fixed penalty under Dog Control Order |
£80 |
| Maximum fine (Magistrates Court) |
£1,000 |
How do I report dangerous dogs?
A dog is legally defined as dangerous if there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person.
A dog can be dangerous because of:
- Behaviour, like growling, barking or running at a person
- Location, such as a stray dog in a school playground, or on a busy road
If you think a dog may be dangerous then you must report it immediately - dial 999.
If it is not an emergency please call the dog warden service on 01432 261761 during office hours or, at other times, your local police office.
If you’re reporting a dangerous dog, please tell us:
- location and, where appropriate, direction of travel
- time seen
- description and breed
- reason why you think it is dangerous
- owner's name and address if known
- your own contact details
- any other relevant information, e.g. dog injured
Banned types of dogs
If you believe the dog is one of the banned breeds in the list below or you know of the location of one of these dogs, please contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 and ask to speak to the dog section.
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
How do I report noise from dogs?
The environmental health team investigate noise nuisance caused by dogs.
For further information, please visit the noise pollution page.