Planning & Environment!Planning & Environment

CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005

TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR STRAY DOGS FROM THE POLICE TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Council Takes Control of Stray Dogs outside of Office Hours
Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council will shortly be taking over the responsibilities for management of stray dogs from the Police under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. This shift in responsibility means that the local authority will be responsible for all issues relating to stray dogs including the provision of a place where stray dogs can be taken by members of the public, outside of office hours, to be accepted into local authority care. However the responsibility for dealing with dangerous dogs and those worrying livestock remains under the authority of the Police.

The following Council service will be effective from 6th April 2008:

  • During office hours (8.45 - 16.30) the Dog Warden will continue to provide a collection service for any stray dog found and reported.
  • Outside of these hours, the current kennel provider service will be extended to act as an acceptance point for stray dogs between 16.30 - 20.00 Monday to Friday and between 9.00 - 20.00 at weekends. Note that there will be no search and collection service in operation outside of office hours.
  • Dogs held at the acceptance point will either be returned to their owners by the Dog Warden during office hours, if claimed, or if unclaimed transferred into the current daytime procedure on the next working day. Dogs will only be released to their rightful owner on payment of the ‘Release of Animal’ fee.

The shift in responsibility from the police to the local authority is an excellent opportunity to free up resources for the police to use in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. The new extended offering by the Council’s Warden team will help to deal with many of the problems that stray dogs may cause in the Borough.

Anyone who wishes to use this service from April 6th onwards, or would like additional information on services such as dog registration and micro-chipping can contact the Dog Warden on 01270 537812.

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