The legal position regarding stray dogs is comprehensively covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This Act imposes upon the Council a statutory duty to deal with stray dogs. This duty is currently undertaken by the Council’s dog warden service.
Many people think of a stray dog as one without a home but this is not the case. A stray dog is any dog that is roaming freely and not under the control of any person, irrespective of whether it has a home, an identification tag or a micro-chip.
All dogs must be kept under control at all times. This includes preventing them from being aggressive, straying, barking unnecessarily and keeping them on a lead where appropriate.
A dog without anyone in charge in a public place is a nuisance, such dogs are seized by the Dog Wardens so that they are safe and can be returned to their owners. If the owner cannot be located the dogs go directly to a private kennels at Gelligaer (Tel 01443 832345) where they can be collected by the owner on payment of the relevant charge.
Charges to the public
OUT OF HOURS SERVICE - Owners, who have their dogs collected on the weekends or anytime outside Normal working hours including Bank holidays, will be charged an extra out of hours Fee of £30.38 on top of the normal kennel Fee's.
KENNEL CHARGES - Penalty Fees
1 DAY £30.00 2nd Impounding (within 12 months) £25.00
2 DAYS £40.00 3rd Impounding (within 12 months) £50.00
3 DAYS £49.99 More than 3 occasions (within 12 months) £75.00
4 DAYS £59.99 Fouling Fixed Penalty £75.00
5 DAYS £69.98
6 DAYS £79.98
7 DAYS £89.98
8 DAYS £99.97
All dogs should wear a collar with a tag stating the owners name and address and it is an offence not to do so. If a dog becomes lost, it will be a lot easier for it to be reunited with its owner if the details are on a tag or if it is micro-chipped. All lost or found dogs should be reported to the dog warden service, contact details at the bottom of this page.
The Dog Wardens provide advice and information to members of the public on the responsibilities involved in dog ownership. Owners should neuter their dogs and exercise them by taking them out for walks and not letting them roam free. Our aim is to discourage the irresponsible dog owner by removing unattended dogs from the streets and by requiring owners to clean up after their pets by enforcing the Dogs Fouling of Land Act which carries stiff penalties. Routine patrols of areas by staff to observe owners allowing their dogs to foul are now the norm and prosecution is a likely outcome. Dog fouling is a big issue for us and if you can help us to identify which dog owners are allowing this to happen we want to hear from you. Collect as much information about who, when and where and pass it on to us.
The dog warden service is not responsible for dogs that are mistreated or neglected, please contact the RSPCA
Dangerous dogs act
The Police have a legal responsibility to deal with all dogs irrespective of size or breed that is dangerously out of control in a public place, especially if the owner is known. If you require the police action for dangerous or banned dogs contact the police on 101 or enquire at your local police station.
The police no longer have any responsibility for stray dogs. Please contact us between the hours of 08:30 - 17:00 (Monday to Thursday) and 08:30 - 16:30 (Friday) on the number at the bottom of this page.
Outside of these hours please contact our out of hours number on 01685 385231 and we will provide further information on this service.
The out of hours Service are limited over the Christmas holiday period as follows.
24th December - Christmas Eve No Service after 1400
25th December - Christmas Day No Service
26th December - Boxing Day No Service
31st December - New Years Eve No Service after 1600
1st January - New Years Day No Service
