A dog may be seized and detained as a stray dog if it is found in a public or private place where it should not be and:
If we seize a dog as a stray, we will keep it in a safe and secure kennel until the owner claims it or it is re-homed. We always undertake reasonable enquiries to identify and contact the owner so that they can collect their pet as soon as possible.
If a stray dog is not collected within 7 days, where possible it will be re-homed. However, in extreme circumstances, where a dog cannot be re-homed, it may be put to sleep.
If we seize your dog as a stray, you will have to pay a set fee before we can release the dog into your care.
In order to avoid your dog being seized:
We also recommend that your dog is micro-chipped, as this will allow us to return your pet to you quickly.
If you identify a stray dog or wish to report your dog as lost, please call the stray dog service on 01432 261761. This service operates seven days a week from 8am - 9pm.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Statutory collection fee for a dog collected as a stray | £25.00 |
| Additional administration charges: 1) If the dog is taken to a kennel 2) If the dog can be returned to the owner without being taken to a kennel |
1) £50.00 2) £30.00 |
| Kennel fee (per day) | £8.00 |
An owner failing to clean up after their dog is of considerable concern and is often raised at public meetings. Whilst the dog wardens can't be everywhere in the county all of the time, they will target particular areas where dog fouling has been raised as a concern. Community protection team enforcement officers also support them.
If a person is identified as failing to remove their dog's faeces, they may be issued with an £80.00 fixed penalty notice, or possibly prosecuted. A Dog Control Order covers this.
There really is no excuse for owners failing to clean up after their dogs and enforcement officers will take a robust approach when offences are committed.
To request the clean up of dog mess or a new dog waste bin, please contact streetscene on 01432 261800 or email streets@herefordshire.gov.uk
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Dog fouling fixed penalty under Dog Control Order | £80.00 |
| Maximum fine (Magistrates Court) | £1,000 |
If you think a dog may be dangerous then you must report it immediately - dial 999. If it is not an emergency please call the dog warden service on 01432 261761 during office hours or, at other times, your local police office.
A dog is dangerous if there are "grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person".
A dog can be dangerous because of:
When reporting a dangerous dog, please provide the following information:
If you believe the dog is one of the banned breeds in the list or you know of the location of one of these dogs, please contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 and ask to speak to the dog section.
The environmental health team investigate noise nuisance caused by dogs. For further information, please visit the noise pollution page.