Dog control and ownership

Report lost, stray, dangerous or barking dogs, report dog fouling, report animal cruelty, advice on responsible dog ownership, microchipping and neutering.

Can I report a barking dog?
Can I report a dog fouling offence?
Are there laws on dog fouling?
What are parish councils doing to tackle dog fouling problems?
Are there laws on where I can walk my dog/using a lead/wearing a collar and tag?
How do I pay a fixed penalty notice for dog related offences?
How do I report a missing, stray or dangerous dog?
Does the council rehome dogs?
What is the law on micro-chipping my dog?
Does the council offer dog neutering and micro-chipping?
Do I need a dog breeding licence?
How do I report animal cruelty?
Do you have any advice for dog owners?

Can I report a barking dog?

Report a barking dog

Please note: we suggest you try an informal approach in the first instance, as involving the council can sometimes damage relations with your neighbours.

Talking to your neighbour

If you do not feel comfortable speaking to them directly at first, we have provided a template letter which you can amend for your situation.

Initial noise letter for barking dog (24kb)

Making a complaint

If you make a complaint to us about noise from a barking dog, you can expect an initial response within 10 working days. After submitting your complaint, you will be sent a 'noise diary sheet' to complete and return. Our dog wardens will then try to resolve the complaint without having to take legal action, by giving practical advice and demonstrations. Legal action may be taken if no improvement is made.

Can I report a dog fouling offence?

Report a dog fouling offence

Are there laws on dog fouling?

Yes, there are local laws in the East Riding, known as ' Public Spaces Protection Orders'.

In general, it is an offence not to clear up after your dog if it fouls on land in the open air which the public has access to. A person guilty of this offence can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75.

The following document provides more detail on this law.

Public Spaces Protection Orders - Dog leaflet (772kb)

Urinating

There are no specific laws about dogs urinating in public places. Dog owners are always encouraged to be responsible, and considerate to other people's property, whenever walking their dog.

What are parish councils doing to tackle dog fouling problems?

We are working with parish councils to make them aware of how to report offenders to the dog wardens.

We aim to work closely with those we have trained to help reduce the amount of dog fouling in their area, and invitations will be made for parish councils to join the scheme.

Resources for parish councils

Read more about resources for parish councils to tackle dog fouling for information about the support on offer.

Are there laws on where I can walk my dog/using a lead/wearing a collar and tag?

Yes, there are local laws in the East Riding, known as ' Public Spaces Protection Orders'.

These include certain areas where people are not allowed to take their dogs, such as play parks, school grounds, and some beaches during summer. They also include areas where you must keep your dog on a lead, for example, certain cemeteries, churchyards, and promenades during summer. A person guilty of this offence can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75.

The following document provides more detail on these laws.

Public Spaces Protection Orders - Dog leaflet (772kb)

Read more about Public Spaces Protection Orders and the areas within each parish where these laws apply.

We would always ask that dogs are kept under close control when out on walks.

Identity requirements

If in a public place or on a highway, dogs must wear a collar with a tag or badge attached, with the name and address of the owner inscribed on it.

It is also an offence to not have your dog micro-chipped, and you must make sure your contact details are kept up-to-date.

How do I pay a fixed penalty notice for dog related offences?

You can pay the £75 fixed penalty notice the following ways:

Online

Pay your fixed penalty notice online

In person

You can pay in person at a customer service centre.

By post

You will need to complete the bottom section of the penalty notice and return it, along with a cheque made payable to 'East Riding of Yorkshire Council' to:

East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Collection services
PO Box 83
Cross Street
Beverley
HU17 9YR.

Please note: the fixed penalty should be paid within 14 days or you may be prosecuted.

How do I report a missing, stray or dangerous dog?

Report a stray or dangerous dog

Please note: if your dog is missing, it should be reported by telephone on (01482) 393939.

How we care for stray dogs:

We pick up stray dogs from public places where possible, or collect stray dogs that are being held by a member of the public. Detained dogs will be collected between 8.30am - 9pm, every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays. If the dog has up to date microchip details or a collar and tag with the owner's name and address, we will return the dog where possible. Otherwise, it will be taken to our holding kennels.

Where they are held

Strays are held in our care at our holding kennels in Leconfield:

Leconfield Kennels website

Dogs will be kept at the kennels for seven days to allow the owners time to collect them. After seven days, we will look to rehome the dog, however, you may still be able to reclaim your dog if it is waiting to be rehomed.

Costs

There is a charge for kennelling and for returning a dog to its owner. For the first three days of kennelling the charge is £56.00, and after that the daily charge is £12.00. The owner can collect their dog directly from the kennels, or alternatively, the dog can be returned to the owner's property for a charge of £56.00. If you are collecting your dog from Leconfield Kennels, please take identification, for example, a passport, driver's licence or utility bill.

Other stray animals

If you have found a stray cat or other pet, you may wish to contact the RSPCA or alternatively speak to one of the local animal charities for advice on what to do, some examples are listed below:

RSPCA website

Cats Protection website

Hull Animal Welfare Trust website

Jerry Green Dog Rescue website

Banned dogs

It is a criminal offence to own or keep any of the following types of dog:

Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasiliero.

Such dogs should be reported to the Police by calling 101.

Does the council rehome dogs?

No, we cannot rehome your dog for you, but we do hold strays which may be available for rehoming if left unclaimed. Please contact our holding kennels at Leconfield for further information.

Leconfield Kennels website

Animal welfare charities

You may also want to speak to other animal welfare charities and rescue centres if you are thinking of offering a dog a new home, some examples are provided below.

RSPCA website

Hull Animal Welfare Trust website

Jerry Green Dog Rescue website

What is the law on micro-chipping my dog?

All dogs aged 8 weeks and over must be micro-chipped. To be considered as micro-chipped, a micro-chip must have been implanted into your dog and your details recorded on an approved database.

Please make sure your dog is registered on a government-approved database.

Please note: if your dog does not have a microchip, or if the contact details on the chip are not kept up to date, you may be served a notice giving you 21 days to comply. If you do not comply with the notice, you could face a fine of up to £500 on conviction.

The council has taken enforcement action against people who have not complied with the microchip laws.

Why micro-chip?

Micro-chipping your dog ensures that you can be easily traced should they ever be lost or stolen. A small chip is inserted under your dog's skin, which can be read by a special scanner to quickly find its owner's name and address. Prices will vary between providers, but will typically cost less than £20. Some organisations may offer free micro-chipping events. Dogs on a highway or in a public place must also wear a collar and tag with the name and address of the owner inscribed.

How do I update my details?

It is important that you keep a record of your dog's micro-chip ID or reference number and the database it is registered on, so that your contact details can be kept up to date. For example, if you move house or change telephone number these must be changed on the database. You may have to pay a fee for updating details. If you are not sure what details are on your dog's micro-chip you can contact the database holder, or speak to your local vet or animal charity to see if they can check the details for you.

Does the council offer dog neutering and micro-chipping?

Neutering

We do not offer help with neutering your dog. However, the Dogs Trust offers a discounted rate for dog neutering at local vets for people who qualify for certain means-tested benefits.

Micro-chipping

We do not carry out micro-chipping, however we arrange events where micro-chipping takes place, and these will be advertised locally when on offer. You should contact your local vet to arrange for your dog to be micro-chipped. Some organisations and animal charities also offer micro-chipping programmes.