Policy Scope:

This policy informs all staff of the administrative procedures to be adopted when dealing with a dangerous, aggressive, injured or diseased dog.

Policy Aims and Objectives:

Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 commenced on 6 April 2008. From this date, all statutory duties for police in relation to stray dogs were repealed from existing legislation and local authorities are now solely responsible at all times for the functions on stray dogs. As from 1 July 2008 all four local authorities have requested that the police accept no more stray dogs into police stations.  Reports of lost dogs should be redirected to the relevant council dog warden service to increase the opportunity to reunite stray dogs with their owners

The police retain the responsibility for dealing with Dangerous Dogs. (See Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - search warrants and powers of seizure.) See ACPO Guidance for Dealing with Dangerous Dogs.

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

The police retain responsibility for dealing with:

• dangerous dogs (breed)

• abandoned dogs as a result of the owner being taken into custody

• abandoned dogs as a result of the owner’s sudden death

• aggressive dogs where there is an immediate risk to the public

• injured dogs eg as a result of a road traffic incident where a police officer has been in attendance

• diseased dogs

As these dogs are not usually strays the local authorities have no responsibility but have indicated that they are willing to assist in such cases but only during normal opening hours.  All are unable to provide long term kennelling facilities. 

Mount Pleasant Kennels have agreed to collect dogs at any time from the Doncaster and Rotherham areas and provide kennelling.

Cliffe Kennels are unable to provide an out of hours collection service but will collect during normal hours from the Sheffield and Barnsley areas and provide kennelling.

Both contractors have agreed to accommodate any dogs brought to them by a third party during normal hours.

South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance has agreed to collect dogs at any time from within South Yorkshire area to be transferred to a kennels of our choice during normal hours.

Costs associated with the service may be found on SCM intranet page.

Therefore, the arrangements for collection of:

• dangerous breed

• aggressive (threat to the public) dog

• dog abandoned due to the sudden death of the owner or the owner taken into custody

Are as follows:

During normal working hours collection may be undertaken by the South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance, Mount Pleasant Kennels, Cliffe Kennels, or the local dog warden subject to availability.

Out of normal working hours collection will be be undertaken by South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance where the dog will be transferred to the appropriate kennels for accommodation. (Mount Pleasant will collect in the Doncaster and Rotherham areas.)

Any dogs taken to dog warden kennels will be removed the following day by South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance for transfer to the appropriate kennels for accommodation.

The RSPCA have recommended that, in cases at (c) above, the less traumatic solution could be to leave the dog in situ provided it is safe and secure, water is available and relatives (or representatives) are able to take care of the dog the following day, or the dog is collected by police contractors the following day during normal working hours.

Dogs Injured or Diseased (to be read in conjunction with D50614)

Constables are often called to scenes of incidents where the owner is not known. 

South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance are well equipped to transfer such animals to an appropriate veterinary service. 

If the owners are known, their details should be supplied to the vet providing the service.

If the owners are not known the vet should be given an incident number and asked to quote this on all correspondence.

Veterinary Surgeon

If the veterinary surgeon retains the dog for treatment, regular checks must be made at the surgery with a view to transferring the dog to the authorised kennel. If, at the end of the statutory seven clear days the dog has not been transferred, destruction must be arranged.

Any veterinary surgeon's account rendered will be paid from District accounts but where the owner becomes known, attempts should be made to recover the costs from that person.

This policy should also be read in conjunction with the following:

Dogs: Injured or Diseased D50614

Human Rights/Discretion:

The purpose of providing policy is to give an indication to staff of the expected course of action.  However it is not possible to cater for every possible combination of factors that would justify a departure from stated policy.  The Human Rights Act 1998 requires the proper use of discretion at all times and nothing within this policy and associated procedural instructions prohibits the proper use of discretion in appropriate circumstances.

Where action is taken that has the potential to interfere with an individual’s Human Rights, the reasons behind the making of the decision to act in that way should be recorded on the appropriate forms, or where this is not practicable, in pocket books or policy logs.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Exemptions do not apply to this statement of agreed policy under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Management of Police Information (MoPI)

This policy falls within MoPI: No

Review Arrangements:

This policy together with its Equality Analysis will be reviewed every 3 years.

Rights of redress for members of the public:

Anyone who feels that a member of staff has behaved incorrectly or unfairly, or who is dissatisfied with organisational matters, service delivery or other operational policing issues, has the right to make a complaint.

Initial action should be taken in one of the following ways:

• Complain in writing or in person to the Senior Officer at the appropriate police station or to the Chief Constable of the force concerned.

• Visit a local Citizens' Advice Bureau

• Contact a Solicitor

Rights of redress for South Yorkshire Police personnel:

South Yorkshire Police personnel who feel they have grounds for concern in relation to the implementation of policies may, as appropriate:

• Pursue concerns through their line manager.

• Contact a First Contact Advisor.

• Pursue a grievance formally through the South Yorkshire Police Fairness at Work Procedure.

• Seek advice from their staff association or trades union.

• Use procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control.