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Watford Borough Council
Animals - stray
Watford Borough Council has a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 section 149 to collect and detain stray dogs. The Council also has the power to dispose of the dogs if they remain unclaimed. When dealing with stray dogs we will take into account the relevant provisions of:
- the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
- the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996
- the Control of Dogs Order 1992
- the Protection of Animals Act 1911
- the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
- the Clean Neighbourhood and Environmental Act 2005
- any other relevant legislation.
Finder of stray dog
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 Sec 150 requires the finder of a stray dog to:
- return the dog to its owner; or
- contact the local authority for the area in which the dog was found; or
- take the dog to the police station nearest to where the dog was found.
A finder who does not take one of these courses of action will have committed an offence, and would be liable upon conviction to a fine.
If the finder requests to keep the dog, he must supply the officer with his contact details and details of the dog. The officer is required to keep a record of these details.
Regulations require that the officer makes appropriate enquiries to ascertain that the finder is a suitable person to keep the dog.
The finder must then be informed verbally and in writing that he is obliged to keep the dog (if unclaimed by the owner) for not less than one month and that failure to comply with that obligation is a criminal offence.
Lost dogs
The Council maintains a public register of lost dogs. If you have lost your dog, contact Environmental Services and we will check the register for you. You are also advised to contact the police and surrounding local authorities as appropriate.
Tag your dog!
Your dog must wear a tag by law when out in a public place. Tagging your dog is also an essential way of tracing you should your dog become lost.
The first time we catch your dog straying we will return it to you, free of charge. But we can only do this if it is wearing a tag, or is microchipped.
If we catch a stray dog, and we can't trace the owner, we will keep it in boarding kennels at your expense. If you do not collect your dog within seven days, you will lose the right to reclaim it, and we will try to re-home it.
Aggressive dogs
Environmental Services will respond to complaints where a dog has acted aggressively towards another dog or animal. Please report to the police any complaint of a dog acting aggressively towards a human.
Any complaints about dogs will be responded to as quickly as possible, but always within two working days. The Animal Control officer will act in the strictest confidentiality and keep you informed about what they are doing.
Some complaints cannot be dealt with by the Animal Control Officers. These will be passed quickly to the appropriate agency (e.g. the police or RSPCA).
Enviornmental Officers will ensure the Council's legal duties are met, so far as dogs are concerned. They will also regularly patrol areas covered by dog related bye-laws, and put up anti-dog fouling stickers and signs where needed.
Please note that the police deal with situations where a dogs has acted aggressively towards or harmed a person. Where the issue relates to acting aggressively towards another animal the Council Animal Control Officers will investigate.
Dog fouling
Environmental Services enforces the Dog (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, which came into force on 1 May 1997.
This Act means that it is illegal to fail to clear up after your dog if it fouls any land which is open to the air and to which the public have access. The maximum penalty for contravening the Act is a £1,000 "on the spot" fine £40 penalty notice or prosecution in the Magistrates Court.
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