Environmental Enforcement
Dogs
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Strays
During office hours (8.30 -16.00hrs
Monday to Friday) we collect or seize any stray dogs found in the
Borough and keep them safe until claimed; or re-home them if
unclaimed after seven days. Outside office hours you will be
advised what to do by the Council contact centre on 01622
602000.
During the year March 2006 to April 2007, we received 1077
complaints about dogs, there were 113 lost dog
reports. 185 stray dogs were collected and placed in kennels
for their safety, the majority of which did not carry the legally
required identification. 75 of these dogs were successfully
returned to their owners and 37 were passed to a re-homing
agency. 1 dog was put down due to ill health or severe behavioural
problems. A further 72 dogs were returned to their owners
by the council, members of the public or by themselves.
Dangerous Dogs
The Police have the powers to deal with dangerous dogs, but the
Council will assist where required and give advice as appropriate.
During the year March 2006 to April 2007 94complaints were
received.
Dogs Barking
During the year March 2006 to April 2007, 166
complaints were received about dogs barking. Advice is given to
those troubled by the noise of barking dogs and where appropriate
the dog owners are contacted and advised accordingly. If the
problem persists then enforcement action is taken.
Advice for Dog Owners
Dog owners and non-dog owners have the right to live
side-by-side. There are, however, several rules that should be
followed. Most are straightforward and concerned with safeguarding
the environment.
Rabies
This Department will liaise with other agencies to maintain a
Rabies contingency plan
Fouling
We enforce legislation covering dog fouling. During the year
March 2004 to April 2005 we received 157 complaints about
irresponsible dog owners, who do not clean up after their dogs. Dog
faeces are a major risk to health particularly to children. Dog
faeces can contain eggs of the Toxocara round worm which can cause
infections in the body that often lead to headaches, nausea,
epilepsy, asthma and even blindness. More recently the profile has
become further raised by the possibility of infection with E-coli
0157 from dog faeces found in public places.
Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996
Background
This Act makes it an offence too not to clean up after a dog has
fouled a designated area. The Act provides power to prosecute
offenders, or issue a fixed penalty ticket of £50. Designated areas
include:
"Any park, green, garden, childrens play area or recreation area
to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access."
"Any playing field or sports pitch and similar areas provided
for the playing of sports provided or maintained by Maidstone
Borough Council or a Parish Council to which the public are
entitled or permitted to have access." Maidstone Borough Council
employs two Civic Wardens. Their duties include enforcement of this
legislation.
Patrols
During the summer patrols are carried out on a weekly basis of
Parish areas, The Civic Wardens are encouraged to adopt a
"Community policing" style whereby they talk to dog owners,
encourage responsible dog ownership, hand out free "poop scoop"
bags. They point out the location of "Poop scoop" bins and
generally try to be visible and approachable. Any offenders seen
not cleaning up after there dog are offered the opportunity to put
the matter right prior to the issue of fixed penalty tickets.
Conclusion
The Civic Wardens are educating owners to stop taking their dogs
to playing fields and childrens play areas or picnic spots to go to
the toilet, even if they do clean up. The time must come when
owners stop taking their dogs into leisure areas specifically to go
to the toilet, and teach them to go at home, (however unpleasant)
or use dog-designated areas where available.
Stray dogs and dogs off leads on public roads
Under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990
and the Road Traffic Act 1988 a local authority has a legal duty
(a) to pick up any dog which is found straying and (b) to enforce
the provisions of the Control of Dogs and Roads Order 1990.
These responsibilities help protect stray dogs from being
involved in accidents with motor vehicles, help prevent the streets
from being fouled with dog mess and help protect the general public
from being bitten by dogs which may be dangerous or upset at being
lost.
To assist with the funding of this essential service the local
authority has agreed to levy the following charges on the owner of
any dog which is picked up as a stray. Every owner has to pay this
charge before they can be reunited with their pet.
Fees for reclaiming detained dogs
- (Including statutory fee of £25)
- Dog picked up - £60.00 + Kennel Fees*
- If the dog is wearing an identity disc, or micro-chipped, a
discount will be given on the above charges should the dog straying
prove to not be the owners fault.
* Kennel fees are currently £8.50 per day or any part of a
day.
When a dog is picked up, the local authority has a
responsibility to look after it for up to 7 days. After 7 days it
the animal has not been reclaimed the local authority becomes the
legal owner and will make every effort to re-home the animal with a
new owner.
Any person who offers to re-home a dog will be asked to pay a
fee.
The contact number for stray dogs is 01622 602117