Dog Control
In partnership with Town and Parish Councils, the Environmental Services department employs a full-time dog warden. The warden actively patrols the Borough for stray dogs and endeavours to prevent people allowing dogs under their control to foul open spaces.
Dog Fouling
There are over 600 litter-bins in the Borough suitable for the disposal of bagged dog mess. The number is growing all the time and on some sites special bins are available. The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 covers all of the Borough's land that is open to the public. The dog warden can issue an on-the-spot fixed penalty fine of £80 (reduced to £50 if paid within seven working days) and failure to pay could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Lost or Found Dogs
Everyone accepts that dogs do not always come back when called but if a dog is out and not under control it may be picked up by the dog warden. Every effort is made to return a dog to its owner but if there is no collar and address the dog will be taken to the kennels. It is a legal requirement to ensure that your dog wears a collar and tag.
From 6 April 2008, the Council is fully responsible for dealing with lost or stray dogs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If any residents have lost a dog or found a stray, please report it to the Council by calling 01344 352000.
To have your dog returned you will need to pay
- A statutory fine of £25.00
- Expenses incurred by the local authority.
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm £33.00
All other times £130.00 - Kenneling cost at £7.00 per day
The provisions of The Environmental Protection Act 1990 require the local authority to keep a stray dog for up to seven clear days after seizure. After this period the dog becomes the property of the Council and, whilst every endeavour is made to re-home it, sometimes this is not possible and it has to be put down.
Noisy Dogs
Barking comes naturally to dogs but the noise from barking or whining can become a nuisance to neighbours. Often the problem occurs when the owner is out, or while the dog is out of ear shot, so the owners don’t even know about it until someone complains to the Environmental Health Team.
Download the 
Noise Barking Dogs Information Leaflet (94kb) for reasons why a dog may bark and solutions for how to minimise the noise.
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