Animal welfare services

The Animal welfare sections responds to both reports from the public, and undertakes proactive patrols. The aims of the service are to reduce the risk to human health from domesticated animals and/or the premises where they are kept, to prevent nuisance from pet animals or from the keeping or boarding of pet animals and to reduce the risk to animal health arising from commercial keeping of pet or similar non-livestock animals.

Cruelty to animals – who should you call?

If you suspect that an animal of any kind is being subjected to any form or cruelty then the only organisation that can legally deal with this is the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), you can contact the National Cruelty Helpline on 0870 5555 999.

The County Council has formal links with the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in enforcing national legislation governing the health and welfare of farm animals. This includes responding to complaints of neglect or ill treatment of livestock on farms, during transport, at markets, etc.

The identification and registration schemes that are in place to control animal movements are also overseen by North Yorkshire County Council, along with the issuing of animal movement licences for on farm movements and movement to slaughter.

The Dog Warden Service

The Dog Warden Service provides a range of services across the Borough. The primary function is to apprehend and deal with matters relating to stray dogs. Since 2008 the Council has had sole responsibility for stray dogs in the Borough, previously the Police shared this responsibility. 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

Following a comprehensive review and extensive public consultation 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.

In addition, 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.