Dog Control Service
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The main duties of an Environmental Warden/The Dog Control Service is to pick up stray dogs and to deal with complaints from the general public about dogs.
Stray Dogs
A stray dog is a description of a dog that is not under visible control of its owner/handler. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to allow your dog to stray. All dogs must be secured by a lead in a public area. The Environmental Wardens have a duty to collect dogs that are straying. Legislation on stray dogs is due to change in 2007. Under Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, Local Authorities will have sole responsibility for dealing with stray dogs, the exception is dogs that are worrying livestock.
Dogs and Livestock
If a dog worries livestock on agricultural land, its owner (or the person in control of it) is guilty of an offence, the Police may prosecute. This may result in a Court appearance, with damages being awarded for injury to or loss of the livestock, and/or a Court Order for the destruction of the dog.
The definition of worrying livestock includes attacking/chasing or being at large in a field/enclosure while not on a lead or under control. The dog is also in danger of being trampled by cattle and horses. If your dog causes an accident, worries livestock, attacks people or damages property, or is handed to the Police as a stray, you are liable for any costs incurred.
The dog may also be legally shot by the farmer whose livestock it was worrying.
Remember your dog is your responsibility, keep it under control!
The Law states that all dogs must wear a collar and identification tag bearing the owner's name, address and telephone number, even those dogs that are micro chipped. Failure to do this could mean a fine of up to £5000.
At present the Environmental Warden service collects stray dogs between 08:30 and 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:30 to 16:30 on a Friday.
Outside these hours, stray dogs should be reported to the police or taken to a local police station, though this will change upon implementation of Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods Act.
If a dog is seized by the Environmental Warden, it will be held at a local kennels until the owner pays the release and kenneling fees and any other fees accrued by the Authority (i.e. Vet's fees) . If the dog is not claimed after seven days, it legally becomes the property of the Council who will attempt to get the dog re-homed.
Environmental Services have a Customer Charter for more information on the services we provide and can be downloaded.
At present the Environmental Warden service collects stray dogs between 08:30 and 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:30 to 16:30 on a Friday.
Outside these hours, stray dogs should be reported to the police or taken to a local police station, though this will change upon implementation of Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods Act.
If a dog is seized by the Environmental Warden, it will be held at a local kennels until the owner pays the release and kenneling fees and any other fees accrued by the Authority (i.e. Vet's fees) . If the dog is not claimed after seven days, it legally becomes the property of the Council who will attempt to get the dog re-homed.
Environmental Services have a Customer Charter for more information on the services we provide and can be downloaded.
Stray Dog Register
If a dog is caught straying, Environmental Wardens try to trace the owners and notify them as to where their dog may be collected. Any stray dogs are kept safely. Please visit our stray dog register for a list of dogs that are currently kenneled.
Release/Kenneling fees
Duration Fee1st day £33:452nd day £41:903rd day £50:354th day £58:805th day £67:256th day £75:707th day £84:15
Dog Fouling
Estimates put the UK dog population between 6.5 and 7.4 million, producing 1000 tonnes of excrement per day. It is therefore not surprising that dog fouling is a major issue in many different areas around our District.
Dog fouling is also an offence. Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, Environmental Wardens can issue fixed penalties of £50 to anyone caught letting their dog foul. Failure to pay this penalty within 14 days of issue may result in prosecution and a fine of £1,000. The only exception, is a guide dog under control of a registered blind person.
There is more information on the Dog Fouling page
Noise Complaints
Noise complaints from barking/howling dogs are also dealt with by the Environmental Warden.
Many dogs develop bad habits and frequent barking is one of the most common. For more information on this please visit our page on barking dogs.
Dangerous Dogs
The police and North East Derbyshire Environmental Warden Service share the responsibility for dealing with dangerous dogs, with the police being the lead agency in prosecuting offenders.
Reports of dangerous dogs should be made to:
Reports of dangerous dogs should be made to:
Local Police on 01246 220100or theDog Control Team
The Environmental Wardens are also willing to offer advice on sundry other canine matters.
Reporting Dogs and contacting the Environmental Wardens
We have several methods in place to report a lost or found dogs:
- You can contact our team (details at bottom of the page)
- Alternatively you can contact us via our online forms:
You can report a lost dog to the Environmental Warden using our lost dog online form.
You can report a dog you have found to the dog warden using our stray dog online form.
You can report noisy/dangerous dogs or make other enquires to the Environmental Wardens by filling out our dog complaint form.
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