Dog Control in East Devon
There are roughly 6.9 million dogs in Britain, which is one for every eight people. East Devon has a contract with the company 'Animal Wardens', who employ an East Devon Warden to promote responsible dog-ownership through advice, education and, where appropriate, enforcement. There is also a lost dog service provided out of office hours by phoning 0870 6091449.
Each year we deal with around 100 "lost dog" calls. We will collect stray dogs and where the dog can be identified from its collar, tag or from a microchip, we will try to return it to its owner. We do make every effort to match calls about "lost and found" dogs and to reunite strays with their rightful owners at the earliest opportunity. We may in some cases be able to do this without incurring kennelling charges.
When the owner cannot be found or identified (or on a second or subsequent straying), our dog warden contractors will seize the dog and take it to kennels. Straying dogs can be expensive. There will then be an administration charge (currently £37) plus any vet's fees (where necessary) and the kennels' boarding rate (currently £11.15 for each day or part day) to be paid to the kennels or the dog warden before the dog is returned. The day of admission will always count as one full day and the day of collection will count as another day (if it is not the same day of course). Before reclaiming a dog you will be asked to provide both proof of your identity (for example your passport, driving licence or a credit or debit card in your name) and proof of your address (for example a utility bill of bank statement in your name showing your current address).
We will look after every stray dog for a period of up to seven days. If a dog is not claimed within this period, every effort will be made to re-home it. No dog will be destroyed unless a vet advises so.
Stray dogs should be reported by calling us on 0845 6010211 during office hours.
If you find you have lost your dog outside normal office hours you may call the Council's standby service on 0870 6091449 who will inform the dog warden on the next working day.
Finally, particularly if you are calling over the weekend you may also wish to check directly with our contracted kennels whether your dog has already been admitted. Seized dogs are usually taken to Drum Kennels, Roncombe Hill,. Sidbury, EX10 0QN. They are open seven days per week between the hours of 8:30am and 6pm and can be contacted on 01404 871247.
Collar and tag
With few exceptions, every dog in a public place is required by law to have a collar and tag with details of the owner's name and address. These are legal requirements in addition to any microchip that the dog may have.
It is an offence, punishable with a maximum fine of £5,000, to fail to comply with this requirement. If we find your dog without a collar and tag, in the first instance you will be given seven days to rectify the situation. Failure to do so is likely to result in prosecution.
Beach ban and other byelaws
Dogs are banned from certain areas of beach in East Devon from 1 May to 30 September each year. To find out where dogs are banned on beaches please click here.
Restrictions apply in the following areas:
- Exmouth
- Sidmouth
- Budleigh Salterton
- Seaton
- Beer
In addition, some other local byelaws are applicable, particularly in parks, gardens and children's play areas. Notices are usually displayed for guidance. Full details are available from East Devon Community Enforcement Officers.
Dog fouling
Dog faeces are unpleasant and can present a serious health hazard, particularly to young children.
Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, owners MUST clear up after their dogs on all land (including beaches) to which the public have access. There are a few exceptions (e.g.. rural common land, carriageways with a speed limit of over 40 mph, and the verges alongside such roads). Failure to clear up after your dog can result in a £50 fixed penalty ticket, which must be paid within 14 days. No preliminary warnings are given. And where the fine is not paid, the case will be taken to court. Last year Dog Wardens issued 15 fixed penalty tickets.
When walking your dog, always carry a "poop scoop" or suitable receptacle to pick up your dog’s faeces. These can be put in a dog waste bin or taken home for disposal. If this is not possible, double-wrap them in two plastic bags and place them in an ordinary litter bin
East Devon District Council has provided many dog waste bins, each emptied twice a week.
Dangerous dogs
The investigation of a dangerous dog complaint is a joint responsibility with Devon and Cornwall Police. In the first instance, please contact the Animal Warden Service, which will advise of the appropriate action. Last year we investigated 47 cases.
Dog barking
Barking comes naturally to dogs, but constant barking or whining of a dog can be disturbing and annoying for a neighbour. In law, a barking dog can be a nuisance and the owner can be taken to court if he or she does nothing to stop it.
Worrying of livestock
If a dog worries livestock on agricultural land, its owner (or the person in control of it) is guilty of an offence. The definition of worrying livestock includes attacking or chasing, or being at large in a field/enclosure while not on a lead or under control. This is a serious offence and we prosecute in relation to most instances reported to us.
Last updated Friday, 4 January 2008
