Dog warden service

What we do

The dog warden service is reponsible for:

• promoting responsible dog ownership, through education, advice, leaflets, free poop-scoop bags and thank you cards
• the collection of stray dogs from the streets of Bristol
• enforcing the dog fouling laws
• ensuring that dogs wear a collar and tag for identification.
• issuing fixed penalty notices
• providing advice on dog behavioural and welfare issues.

Stray dogs

Dog owners that allow their dogs to stray unattended without identification, risk their dog being collected by the dog warden and taken to Bristol dogs home. We will impose a Dog Warden Service charge (pdf, 30 KB) before the dog can be returned to its owner. The charges that are set, increase daily to a maximum of seven days. If the dog is not collected within this period then the dog is given to the dogs home for re-homing.

Identification

We encourage dog owners to have their dogs fitted with a micro-chip. This provides a permanent means of identification on a database. It is still a legal requirement for all dogs to wear a collar and tag with the owner's name and address inscribed on the tag (it is recommended to also include your telephone number).

Dog fouling

The enforcement of dog fouling is part of the dog warden's role. It is an offence for a dog owner not to immediately clear up after their dog has fouled in any open area. Dog fouling left on the ground by irresponsible dog owners is not only unsightly it is unacceptable and is against the law. The council will be taking firm action against dog owners who do not clear up immediately after their dogs have fouled.

Dog Control Orders

Dog Control Orders apply to all dog owners and people that exercise dogs.

Offenders face an £80 fixed penalty fine for not complying with the orders which will be reduced to £60 for prompt payment within ten days. Failure to accept or pay a fixed penalty notice will result in potential legal action being taken through the magistrates courts where the maximum fine if found guilty is £1,000.

The four “Notices of Making a Dog Control Order” are:

• The Dogs Exclusion Order 2007 (pdf, 67 KB) 
• The Dogs on Leads  Order 2007 (pdf, 103 KB)
• The Dogs on Leads by Direction Order 2007 (pdf, 29 KB)
• The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2007 (pdf, 14 KB)

Also listed below are the four Dog Control Orders complete with schedules.

• Dogs Exclusion - dog control order (pdf, 67 KB)
• Dogs on leads - dog control order (pdf, 103 KB)
• Dogs on leads by direction - dog control order (pdf, 29 KB)
• Fouling of land - dog control order (pdf, 33 KB)

Two of the dog control orders (Dogs on leads and Dog exclusions) have schedules which exempt certain areas from the respective orders.

Animal Welfare

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 came into effect in England on 6 April 2007 and provides greater protection for animals. Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 requires a pet owner to be legally obliged to care for their pet properly by providing; 

• A proper diet, including fresh water;
• Somewhere suitable to live;
• For any need, to be housed with or apart from, other animals
• The ability to express normal behaviour patterns
• Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
• or (protection from and treatment of, illness and injury)

The majority of people look after their animals well, but if you suspect that a domestic animal is being cruelly treated, please contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. If the animal is a farm animal in the city of Bristol please contact our Animal Health Inspector on 0117 922 2500.

Neutering

Neutering or ‘spaying’ is the removal of the reproductive organs in dogs. This is a straightforward operation from which dogs recover quickly. We fully supports this process whereby all owners consider neutering their dogs, to prevent unwanted puppies being born which can end up wandering the streets as strays. An un-neutered male dog is more likely to stray from an owner’s property if there is an un-spayed female dog in ‘season’ in the area. This could lead to the dog causing a road traffic accident and getting injured.

The Pet Health Council promotes, informs and advises on the health and welfare of pet animals in the interests of both pets and people.

There is a range of leaflets to download covering issues of: Insuring pets, Choosing pets, Healthy eating for pets, Choosing a puppy, International pet travel, Nutrition, Allergies, Stressed Pets, Facts about toxocara, Facts about toxoplasmosis, Worming etc.

Pilot scheme – professional dog walkers and trainers

Ashton Court is running a pilot scheme to introduce a licence for dog walking and training businesses at Ashton Court Estate. More information can be found on our Ashton Court Estate page.