Wardens take on full-time responsibility for stray dogs

Release Date:  10-Apr-2008

Responsibility for dealing with all Bristol's stray dogs has passed this week from the police to Bristol City Council's dog wardens. They will now be the first point of contact if people find stray dogs roaming, and a special arrangement has been set up with Bristol Dogs Home to provide a 'detention centre' where the public can bring any strays they find outside of the normal working day.

In 2006/07 Bristol recorded 697 strays, over half of which were returned to, or reclaimed by, their owners. 201 dogs were re‑homed and only 37 had to be humanely put to sleep.

Most strays have escaped from their owners' control, rather than being abandoned. Modern microchipping means that most can be identified using 'Petlog' data, and returned to their owners.  Dog owners must ensure their dogs are contained and not able to wander the streets, and offenders can face a fixed penalty notice of  £80. Repeat offenders, and those who fail to pay their fixed penalties, will be taken to court where fines of up to £1,000 can be levied under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

In two recent cases dog owners in Speedwell and Fishponds were fined £250 each plus court costs of £112 and £122 respectively. Cases of animal neglect or cruelty usually involve prosecution by the RSPCA. Certain breeds legally classed as Dangerous Dogs must be licensed, and any suspicions of unlicensed dangerous dogs should be reported to the police or the dog wardens.

Councillor Judith Price, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said, "We are a nation of dog lovers, but sadly some dogs do end up wandering the streets for various reasons, and it is important that we deal with this problem as efficiently and kindly as possible. 

“The council is committed to creating better neighbourhoods throughout our city and people have a responsibility to make sure their dogs aren't a nuisance or a hazard to others.”

Bristol has a team of three full-time Dog Wardens, each with their own vehicle, equipment to make dog‑catching as effective and safe as possible, and the all‑important box of dog treats to attract strays that may be nervous and behave unpredictably. Dog Wardens advise members of the public not to approach dogs that are behaving aggressively or appear ill.

Dog wardens are still responsible for the collection and seizure of stray dogs from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm. The dog wardens always attempt to reunite any dog with its owner as quickly as possible and can be contacted on 0117 977 6004.

If a person finds a stray dogs outside of these times then the dog can be taken to the Bristol Dogs Home, 50 Albert Road, St Philips Marsh. The dedicated telephone number is 0779 202 8235 (please telephone this number to advise of an estimated time of arrival) for any dog found Monday to Friday 4.30pm to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays 8am to midnight. There is no service provision between midnight and 8am on any day.

Author:   Matt Smith, 0117 922 3332

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

To link to this page directly, use the URL
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/redirect?oid=PressRelease-id-24579038

Subscribe to our free email bulletin service and get the latest news and information about consultations and events happening in the city - www.bristol.gov.uk/newsdirect