Out of Hours Stray Dogs

Changes in Legislation

Legislation• Environmental Protection Act 1990

s149,150- Duty for Local Authority to collect & detain stray dogs

• Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005, Section 68- Termination of police responsibility for stray dogs.

• However Police retain responsibilities for dangerous dogs

• Commencement 6th April, 2008 Local Authority will have responsibility for stray dogs out of hours

• DEFRA Guidance- Outside office hours local authorities will be expected, where practicable, to provide a cost effective service where a stray dog can be taken and accepted.

Legislation (contd)

Options

• Extensive research across Country undertaken

• Consulted with Defra, CIEH, other LA’s

• Considered approaching Police to continue

• Wrote to all local Kennels & Vets

• Looked into building Council holding kennels at Council depots

Options (contd)

• Consulted with private Dog warden companies

• Consulted with neighbouring Welsh Authorities re: sharing

• Consulted with neighbouring English Authorities re: sharing

Considerations

• Monies from DEFRA (RSG) likely to be approx £10,000 (insufficient?)

• Timescale to get service in place by April 2008- short

• Police station front desks currently close 9- 10pm- LA’s to “mirror” this service

• Defra funding for reception only service not collection service

• Local evidence supports little

demand for service after 10pm

Considerations (contd)

• Kennels needs fit and proper person in attendance to supervise and deal with emergencies

• Wrexham central Police Station receives up to ~ 200 strays out of hours per year

• Travelling distances to kennels

• Health & Safety of public re: handling stray dog and transporting dog in car

Feedback

• Feedback only from 2 kennels- both 16 miles from Wrexham

• One could provide reception only

• One could provide reception and/ or collection service (our current kennel provider)

• Council built kennels- not feasible (time/costs/planning considerations)

Feedback (contd)

• Use of private dog warden service - very costly

• Neighbouring Welsh authorities not yet in a position to pursue potential for joint working arrangements

with Wrexham• Police not willing to continue – already discontinued

service

• Neighbouring English authorities willing to pursue potential for joint working arrangements

Aims

• To provide the best cost effective service up to 10pm, 7 days a week to residents of Wrexham:

Current Options

• To provide a reception service only at Acorn Kennels, Whitchurch

• To provide a reception service only at Farndon Kennels, Farndon

• Continue to negotiate working with neighbouring English authorities to share costs of a reception service or if practicable a collection and reception service

Observations

• By sharing costs with neighbouring English Authorities- may be able to come up with an enhanced service above DEFRA’s requirements and save money

• Good example of partnership working by working with other LA’s

Observations (contd)

• LA’s will have more control rather than sharing service with Police

• By collecting dogs- more likelihood of dogs getting to kennels

• By collecting dogs- less likelihood of H&S issues to public

• Reduce potential for cross

boundary issues by all using

same service

Current situation

• Provide an excellent daytime service compared with other Welsh Authorities. Collect OOH dogs daily from Police station• Press campaigns promoting responsible dog ownership

• Partnership working with RSPCA & Dogs Trust, and local groups, running subsidised chipping & neutering campaigns. (2007/8 250 dogs chipped, 120 neutered)

Future situation

• Plans for further responsible dog ownership campaigns as above

• Plans to further recover vet bills from dog owners

• Working with Trading

Standards & RSPCA

re: Animal Welfare Act