Dear Mr. Figg

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Request for Information No 650

I am writing in respect of your enquiry dated 24^th October 2009 for information held by the Council. Your enquiry is being dealt with under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

1. You requested information relating to: Animal Control Service

The number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued by your council, for

offences under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005,

Dog Control Orders

1.failing to remove dog faeces None

2.not keeping a dog on a lead None

3.not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so

by an authorised officer None

4.permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded None

5.taking more than a specified number of dogs onto land None

If you have not made Dog Control Orders please give details of the number of Fixed Penalty Notices or fines issued by your council,for any of the above offences under the The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 and any other relevant legislation, bye-laws etc.

During the 12 months periods:

* 1st. October 2006 until 30th September 2007 None

* 1st. October 2007 until 30th September 2008 None

* 1st. October 2008 until 30th September 2009 None

Together with a breakdown, for each year, of the following:

1. The specific offence each FPN/fine was issued for. None

2. Whether the issuing of individual FPNs/fines were contested,

either as an appeal to the council, to the LGO or in court. And an

indication of the outcome, successful or otherwise. None

3. The amount of prosecutions brought by the council for dog

fouling or any of the offences listed above. With details of

whether these were for repeat offences or for first time offences.

And an indication of the outcome, successful or

otherwise, of that action. None

4. The number of FPNs/fines issued for dog fouling or any of the

Offences listed above that went unpaid, along with details of subsequent action taken. And an indication of the outcome, successful or otherwise, from that subsequent action. None

Also the number of dog wardens (including the senior dog warden)

employed by the council during these three periods.

One Dog Warden was employed who retired in February 2007. The post remained vacant until March 2008 when the post was changed to Animal Control Officer

3. If you are unhappy with the way in which your enquiry has been dealt with, you may ask for an internal review by initiating the Council's Corporate Complaints Procedure, details of which may be obtained by logging onto the Council's website http://www.dartford.gov.uk/council/ or telephoning or emailing me. Should you remain dissatisfied with the decision on internal review, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5AF.

I would be grateful if you would address any future correspondence you may have in relation to this matter, to me, quoting the reference number [ask the FOIO for a unique reference no.]. Please familiarise yourself with the informative on re-use of information.

Yours sincerely

Miss A.L. Sargent

Environmental Health Manager

INFORMATIVE

THE RE-USE OF PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION

The Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations came into force on 1^st July 2005.

The first step towards re-using public sector information is to know what significant information is available for re-use.

All documents registered within the Council's Publication Scheme (with the exception of those documents where charges apply) are available for re-use on the terms of the Licence to Reproduce Public Sector Information. No re-use fee is charged under this licence. http://www.dartford.gov.uk/foi/

Private Study and Non-Commercial Re-use of Information

The Council's standard Licence to Reproduce Public Sector Information applies.

Re-use of Information for Commercial Gain

If you intend to re-use the material for commercial gain then you must write to the relevant Department or author of the material concerned, giving full details of your proposed use of the material, including whether you intend to publish and sell the material as part of your product. You will be advised of any charge due to be paid in these circumstances and the terms of a specific licence for re-use for commercial purposes will be agreed. Please note that any fees already paid (if any) under the Freedom of Information legislation in respect of the information will be deducted from the charge for its re-use.

Freedom of Information/Manual/Letters/Full Release of Information at No Charge