Dog Fouling and Stray Dogs
It is illegal to allow your dog to stray or foul on most footpaths, public open spaces, grass verges, parks or play areas. We employ a Dog Warden to encourage responsible dog ownership and we will take enforcement action wherever appropriate.
What if I find a stray dog?
If you find a stray dog, please look to see if it has any identification i.e. collar or name tag. If it does and you can return it to its owner, please do so.
If it does not then please telephone our Contact Centres on 01246 242424 and we will arrange to come and collect it and take it to one of our holding kennels.
What do you do with stray dogs?
Every stray dog which we receive or collect is held within one of our holding kennels. Here the dog will be initially assessed to see if it requires any veterinary treatment and will be looked after, fed and receive regular exercise.
Once an unclaimed dog is deemed to be fit and well enough, we will actively look for a suitable family for it to be re-homed, this could be through word of mouth or advertising.
What if I have lost my dog?
If you have lost your dog, please contact us immediately as it may have been handed in to us or we may have collected it and be holding it in one of our holding kennels.
Your dog will only be released once the statutory charge of £25 and any kenneling charges and veterinary feeshave been paid.
What are you doing to combat stray dogs?
We undertake several promotions and campaigns throughout the year promoting good dog ownership ranging from providing a micro chipping service to offering one-to-one advice in how to deal with problem dogs.
What can I do about dog fouling?
Report it. Dog fouling is unpleasant and potentially dangerous as it may contain parasites and germs harmful to children. We have adopted the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, which allows us to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £50 against anyone contravening this Act.
If you find an area is subject to persistent fouling by dogs, please report this via our website www.bolsover.gov.uk or telephone our Contact Centres on 01246 242424. We will investigate and take any action necessary to clean up the area and where possible deal with the problem.
What are you doing to combat dog fouling?
Although we cannot stop dog fouling, our Dog Warden and Enforcement Officers patrol the District everyday on the lookout for potential offenders.
Where an offender can be identified we will issue an immediate Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £50, payable within 14 days. If this FPN is not paid, then the offender will be taken to court.
We also undertake numerous advertising campaigns and special promotions to promote good dog ownership and, from time to time, offer free poop scoops and bags to help people dispose of their dogs waste. We have also developed some temporary street graphics, using bio-degradable spray, reminding people to clear up after their animal.
Do you provide dog waste bins?
Yes, we provide dog waste bins at various locations throughout the District. These are usually sited at the entrance to a park, open space or along a trail, basically anywhere where there is likely to be a quantity of dogs being exercised. We work with other land owners (i.e. Parish\Town Councils) where parks and open spaces fall within their responsibility for bin provision.
The bins are emptied on a regular basis, but if you see one that is overflowing, please telephone our Contact Centres on 01246 242424 and we will make sure it is emptied within the next 2 working days.
If you wish to request a dog waste bin to be sited in a particular place, please telephone our Contact Centres on 01246 242424, and your request will be considered in accordance with our Streetscene Policy.
Our standards are
· To clear any reported incidents of dog fouling within 5 working days. To empty waste bins within the District before they are overflowing.
· To continue promoting good dog ownership to reduce the incidents of dog fouling.
· To take enforcement action against those owners who do not clear up after their dog.
· To collect stray dogs found during office hours in the same day.
July 2015