The District Council deals with dog fouling and stray dogs
through its dog warden service. Dog noise is dealt with by the
Environmental Health Department.
- For Straying Dogs call 0845 2417253 or email
info@animalwardens.co.uk (24hrs a day, 7 days a week if secured -
8am to 6pm if not secure)
- For Dog Noise call 0845 1211 555 - Environmental Health
- For Dog Fouling clearance & enforcement 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. Dog Waste can also be
placed in your domestic bin (NOT GREEN WASTE!)
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 before being 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 the dog has no identification it will be taken straight
to the holding kennels. In all cases a return fee will be
payable.
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 Environmental Health Technical Support on
0845 1211 555.
We 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:
- 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