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 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