I am submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the handling of stray dogs and kennelling arrangements within your authority.
Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025, or the most recent 5-year period available.
If providing 5 years of data would exceed the cost limit, please provide the most recent 3-year period instead.
1. Stray Dog Intake and Outcomes
a) The total number of stray dogs taken into your authority’s care
b) Of those, the number: Reclaimed by owners
Rehomed (via rescues or otherwise)
Euthanised
Transferred to rescue organisations
2. Kennelling and Costs
a) The average cost per dog per day for kennelling
b) The average length of stay for stray dogs
c) The total annual cost of stray dog kennelling (if available)
3. Holding Period and Decision Making
a) The standard holding period for stray dogs before outcome decisions
b) Whether your authority has arrangements with rescue organisations for rehoming
c) If so, the criteria used to determine whether a dog is suitable for rehoming
4. Dogs Suspected of Prohibited Type
Where recorded:
a) The number of stray dogs identified or suspected to be of a prohibited type
b) The number of such dogs: Referred to police
Retained in kennels pending assessment
Euthanised
Transferred to rescue (if applicable)
c) Whether stray dogs identified or suspected as being of a prohibited type are afforded the standard statutory 7-day holding period under Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990
d) Where such dogs are not afforded the 7-day holding period, please provide:
• the policy or legal basis for this decision • whether the dog is immediately transferred to police • and the point at which responsibility transfers from the local authority to the police
e) Whether any internal guidance or policy exists regarding the handling of stray dogs suspected to be of a prohibited type, and if so, please provide a copy
5. Clarification
If any of the requested information is not held in the format requested, please provide the closest available data and explain any limitations.
If this request exceeds cost limits, I would be grateful if you could prioritise and provide the information relating to stray dogs identified or suspected as being of a prohibited type.