FI15215

Request

Please find attached a spreadsheet designed to capture detailed information regarding the kennelling of stray and dangerous dogs within your jurisdiction. We would appreciate it if you could complete the spreadsheet with the relevant data.

The information requested includes, but is not limited to:

• The number of stray and dangerous dogs kenneled.
• The outcomes for each dog (e.g., returned to owner, rehomed, euthanized).
• Any associated costs incurred.

We understand that compiling this information may require some effort, and we are grateful for your cooperation. 

Response

We are unable to complete the spreadsheet you have provided as the Council either does not hold the information or it is not held in a manner that can be collated as you have requested.  The information you have sought is set out below. 

Question 1a: Number of stray dogs 

The number of stray dogs seized by the dog warden service 

1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022	1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023	1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
25	49	61

Please note that dogs detailed in section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can only be confirmed as a banned breed by an authorised Police Dog Liaison Officer. We are therefore unable to provide data on the number of “dangerous dogs” as our officers are not authorised to confirm these breeds 

Question 1b: Outcome of seized stray dogs 

	1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022	1 April 2022 to 31March 2023	1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Returned to owner	15	16	32
Not claimed	10	33	26
Other	0	0	3

Please note that dogs detailed in section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can only be confirmed as a banned breed by an authorised Police Dog Liaison Officer. We are therefore unable to provide data on the number of “dangerous dogs” as our officers are not authorised to confirm these breeds. 

Question 1c: Outcome of unclaimed stray dogs 

We do not hold this information requested as under our agreement with our stray dog kennelling contractor if a dog is not claimed within the 7 statutory day period, then ownership of the dog is passed to our kennelling contractors. 

Question 1d: Work with charities to rehoming stray dogs 

We do not hold this information requested as under our agreement with our stray dog kennelling contractor if a dog is not claimed within the 7 statutory day period, then ownership of the dog is passed to our kennelling contractors. 

Question 2: Stray Dog Provision 

We only provide a stray dog collection and return service. Banned breeds as per section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are investigated by our colleagues at Kent Police.  We offer an out of hours stray dog service however finders of stray dogs must deliver strays to our council offices. If they are unable to do this our dog warden will contact them on the next working day. 

Question 3: Kennelling 

We contract our stray dog kennelling out and our local provider is within the district boundary. The stray dog fees we charge our customers can be found on our website at 

https://www.dover.gov.uk/Environment/Environmental-Crime/Dog-Warden.aspx.  Please note that Kent Police are responsible for identifying and seizing any banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act. 

Question 4: Veterinary Care 

Our kennelling contractor has veterinary arrangements in place and bills us for any veterinary fees incurred. 

Question 5: Dangerous Dogs 

We do not hold this data as Kent Police are responsible for identifying, seizing and taking action in relation banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act.  We do not have separate insurance for dealing with stray dogs, as this is part of the service, we provide our public liability insurance would cover us. 

Question 6: Opportunities 

Our current kennelling contract is not due to expire until 2027.  Any enquiries relating to the stray dog service should be sent to envcrime@dover.gov.uk