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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?

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.

Read more about resolving problems with barking dogs

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

After submitting your complaint, you will be sent a 'noise diary sheet' to complete and return. Our dog wardens will then endeavour 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 pdf 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?

The council 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

Parish councils can visit the resources for parish councils to tackle dog fouling page for more information on support provided by the council.

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 pdf 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.

Report a dog not on a lead or in restricted areas

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 can pay by post by completing the bottom section of the penalty notice and returning it, along with a cheque/postal order 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:

The council will 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, everyday 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, the council 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 £55.00, 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 by the council to the owners property for a charge of £46.00. 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.  

Read more about getting your dog micro-chipped on the GOV.UK website

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

The council does 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. 

Read more about low-cost neutering on the Dogs Trust website

Micro-chipping

The council doesn't 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. 

Do I need a dog breeding licence?

If you want to breed dogs for commercial sale you must have a dog breeding licence.

Read more about dog licencing.

How do I report animal cruelty?

If you are concerned about the treatment or welfare of a pet, you should contact the RSPCA:

RSPCA website

Animal welfare advice

Advice on dog ownership and welfare issues is available by contacting our dog wardens:

Tel: (01482) 396301

Email: pest.dog@eastriding.gov.uk

Read more about concerns regarding livestock.

Do you have any advice for dog owners?

Get advice from the council's dog warden

Other advice

There is a lot of guidance available on dogs and pet ownership on the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and Kennel Club UK websites.

RSPCA website

Dogs Trust website

Kennel Club UK website

Dogs Trust campaigns

The Dogs Trust are currently running campaigns to help people become responsible dog owners.

Information about their free workshops for schools and communities can be found on the Lean with the Dogs Trust website.

The 'It's a Pup's Life' campaign is aimed at new owners of puppies, and the 'Woof, Waggle & Waistline' campaign is aimed at tackling obesity in dogs. 

They are offering dog owners free information packs to support these campaigns, which can be obtained by contacting the Dogs Trust directly:

Tel: (01325) 335055

Please note: the free packs are available until 31st December 2018.

You can also download helpful advice booklets from the Dogs Trust website.

You may also find the following pdf documents useful:

Barking Dog leaflet (64kb)

A useful guide on dog behaviour (201kb)

First Steps - a leaflet on getting a new dog (204kb)

Advice for people who are frightened of dogs (186kb)

PAWS - a booklet on the pet awareness scheme (310kb)