Dog warden service

The primary function is to apprehend and deal with matters relating to stray dogs.

Stray dogs which are seized or collected are kenneled for a minimum of seven days during which time the dog may be reclaimed by the owner on payment of a release fee of £35 plus kenneling fees and any veterinary fees.
After this seven day period the dog may be sold, re-homed or destroyed.
In practice, very few dogs are destroyed although in some circumstances the animal’s health or temperament may be such that it not considered suitable for re-homing.

Officers of the service enforce a number of Dog Control Orders made under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (see below for details). A number of prosecutions are taken each year against irresponsible dog owners who allow their dogs to foul public areas or otherwise contravene the Orders.

Dog control orders

The Council has introduced a number of Dog Control Orders. These orders were made on 16 August 2012 and come into force on 1 October 2012.

The Dog Control Orders replace the previous system of byelaws and other orders for the control of dogs and designations needed under the Dog (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, which have been repealed.

Penalties for non-compliance with the Dog Control Orders is a fixed penalty notice of £75 payable within 14 days (£50 if paid within 7 days).

A person guilty of an offence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1000.

Details of the Dog Control Orders are available using the links opposite.

Environmental Services has responsibility for a range of animal welfare matters such as the inspection of licensed boarding kennels, pet shops, dangerous wild animals, zoos and riding establishments.

The Council promotes responsible dog ownership and the service works with partners such as RSPCA, Dogs Trust, schools and town and parish councils to further this.

FAQ

I am very concerned about dog fouling. Who can I report it to?

Our Dog Warden Service can help. They enforce fouling laws and can either issue a fixed penalty fine or prosecute if they catch a dog owner letting their dog foul in a public place. They can also carry out letter drops in an area if it is suffering from the actions of irresponsible dog owners. Please report dog fouling incidents to the Dog Warden Service on 01723 232323 or by emailing dog.warden@scarborough.gov.uk. We rely on public support to provide evidence of those irresponsible dog owners who do not comply with the law.

How can I dispose of dog mess?

Always take a poop scoop or carrier bag with you when you walk your dog. The Council provides dog refuse bins in some areas that are popular with dog walkers. If there are no bins around take the poop scoop home and dispose of it. If that is not possible, then, providing the waste is tied in a plastic bag it is acceptable to dispose of it in a litter bin. The absence of dog bins in a particular area is not a reasonable excuse to fail to pick up your dog’s mess.

Can I take my dog on the beach?

The council operates seasonal dog bans on five of its beaches (Scarborough North Bay, Scarborough South Bay, Filey, Whitby and Sandsend) throughout the summer (1 May to 30 September). At other times and on other beaches you are free to take your dog.

I have lost my dog. What can I do?

Please contact our Dog Warden Service, who will be able to help you. You should also contact the Police. We maintain a Lost Dog register and will note the details and notify you should a dog fitting the description be found.

What is a stray dog?

A stray dog can simply be classed as a dog without an owner that is present or in control.

Most stray dogs are family pets that have escaped.

Some dogs may have been abandoned by their owners.

Dogs that have been let out to exercise themselves rather than being walked are also considered strays.

Why do strays have to be collected?

Stray dogs can foul land.

They may act aggressively.

They may cause injury to road users and to themselves.

What happens if the Dog Warden picks up a stray dog?

Should a dog be picked up straying, provided that it is wearing a collar and tag, or has been microchipped, on the first occasion it will be returned to its owner with no charge.

If a dog is picked up on a second or subsequent time or is not identifiable, then it is seized and taken to the kennels. The owner is notified if known and must pay a release fee of £35 and any kennelling and veterinary fees before they can reclaim their dog.

What happens if a dog is picked up and the owner cannot be identified?

Where it is not possible to identify the owner of a straying dog, because it is not wearing a collar and tag and is not microchipped, then the dog is taken straight to the kennels where it is kept for seven clear days or until the owner comes forward to claim the dog.

What do I do if I find a stray dog?

Firstly, see if it has any identification on it which may allow you to contact the owner to return it. If this is not possible, then in normal office hours Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm you should report this to the Dog Warden Service, who will arrange for the dog to be collected.

Outside normal office hours, you can telephone the Council Out of Hours number on 01723 351558 who will advise you where to take the dog. The Council cannot collect dogs outside normal working hours.

What happens to the dog if it is not claimed by the owner?

After seven clear days have elapsed, if the dog has not been claimed by its owner, the dog is disposed of, usually through rehoming.

Are dogs put to sleep?

A dog would only be put to sleep on veterinary advice to relieve suffering or if the dog was not suitable for rehoming due to its temperament or age.

What is Microchipping?

Microchipping is the most effective way of permanently identifying your dog. The microchip is a small implant (the size of a grain of rice) that can be painlessly inserted into the scruff of the neck of your dog.

It contains a registration number unique to your pet so if they do go missing and is found, they can be quickly reunited to its rightful owner.

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