Mansfield District Council has a statutory duty, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to make arrangements to seize any dog found straying in a public place, or on private land with the land owner’s permission, or accept into the Council’s care, a stray dog found by a member of the public. The Council has a responsibility to notify the owner and to care for the stray dog for a period of at least 7 days in order to allow the owner to come forward to reclaim their dog. MDC has historically provided a service to collect stray dogs.

Each year MDC receives or collects approximately 500+ stray dogs from across the district. It is a legal requirement to have dogs microchipped. When we can identify the owners, we will return the animal to its owner where possible. When we cannot identify the owner, the dog is taken to a local kennel. Whilst the dog is in the kennel, we must make reasonable efforts to either reunite the dog and owner, or to re-home the dog if the owner cannot be found.

General duties of the Dog Control Service:

— Collect seized stray dogs between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., including bank holidays and weekends. Return stray dogs to owners or take them to kennelling facilities in accordance with the policy in force at the time,

— Attend any emergency situation,

— Provide suitable overnight kennelling,

— Collect stray dogs roaming the district that are thought to be causing a potential,

— Respond to and resolve all requests for service relating to dogs,

— Assist in the enforcement of any relevant dog regulations and byelaws in force in the district,

— Undertake regular programmed patrols within normal office hours to enforce dog-related legislation and promote responsible dog ownership,

— Issue Fixed Penalty Notices under current legislation,

— Provide a dog micro-chipping service,

— Organise and implement high profile campaigns to promote responsible dog ownership,

— Erect and maintain dog fouling signs,

— Deliver dog fouling bags, as required,

— Carry out such other duties relating to the control of animals including the enforcement of collars and leads for dogs and the relevant provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991,

— Keep all necessary documentation and to update the Council’s database,

— Obtain evidence and prepare statements required in the investigation of any dog-related offences, and to give such evidence in Court if required,

— Wear the uniform provided by the contractor and approved by the supervising officer,

— Documented working procedures detailing how these duties will be implemented shall be agreed between the supervising officer and the contract manager.

The general duties in relation to the kennelling facilities are specified in table below and may be varied in writing by the Council after consultation with the contractor.

The service provided shall be available 365 days per year.

Kennels Objectives:

1) To provide adequate kennelling facilities for the kennelling of stray dogs which have been seized by the Council's Dog Control Service for a period of up to 6 full days (i.e. 6 consecutive periods of 24 hours) during which time the animal’s owner may come forward to reclaim their dog;

2) The kennelling service is required to keep all necessary documentation and supply such information to the supervising officer to enable the Council to keep all registers and serve all notices required by legislation;

3) To return stray or lost dogs to their owners, in accordance with the Council policy in force at the time;

4) In the cases where it is likely that the Council may incur expense by way of veterinary fees, or any other expenses in connection with the carrying out of normal duties, prior approval must be sought from the supervising officer;

5) Documented working procedures detailing how these duties will be implemented shall be agreed between the supervising officer and the contract manager;

6) After the 6 days’ period, ownership of unclaimed dogs will transfer to the kennelling facility who will be responsible for the ongoing care of the dog at their own expense. The provider will then be responsible for re-homing any unclaimed dogs. Every effort must be made to re-home all dogs unless considered unsuitable. Euthanasia should only be considered after all other avenues have been explored to save the dog by re-homing and at a cost to the kennel;

7) The kennels must hold a current licence under Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.