Data Protection & Computer Audit Section

Information Governance Unit Information Management Branch

Ms Amanda Dunckley
				Our ref: 000983/09/
				When calling or telephoning please ask for Rebecca Rice 20^th March 2009

Dear Ms Dunckley

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 000983/09

I write in connection with your request for information dated 24/02/2009 concerning:

How many dogs have been seized under Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act in each year from 2000 to 2008?
How many prosecutions under Section One and Section Three of the Dangerous Dogs Act did the Manchester police proceed with in 2007and 2008?
How many dogs have been seized under Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act so far this year (2009)? Of those seized, how many have been signed over for destruction by their owners?
How many applications have been made to the magistrates court under section 4b of the Dangerous Dogs Act in the last three years? Of those 4b applications, how many resulted in destruction orders and how many resulted in registration onto the Index of Exempted Dogs?
How many dogs are currently held under Section One and Section Three of the Dangerous Dogs Act?
What number of dogs seized under Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act over the last three years, have been destroyed or have died whilst in police custody, due to illness, injury or disease?

The information that you have requested in points 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 (the seizure and death in custody of dogs) is not held in an easily retrievable format and would require the manual searching of all dog related incidents, logs and property references for the requested periods. The cost of providing you with the information is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond i.e. the cost of locating and retrieving the information exceeds the `appropriate level' as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004. In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this letter acts as a Refusal Notice for these questions.

In relation to points 4 and 6 (the destruction of the dogs) this information is not held by Greater Manchester Police. As the destruction of a dog requires a court order the information that you are requesting may be available from the local courts. The information may also be avaliable from the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as they are the custodians of the relevant piece of legislation. Please find attached the website for DEFRA that may be of some assistance.

www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/dogs.htm

Complaint rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Ratcliffe

Information Access Officer

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require Greater Manchester Police to review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again -

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of Greater Manchester Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, you can lodge a complaint with Greater Manchester Police to have the decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

Information Governance Manager

Greater Manchester Police

Police Headquarters

Chester House

Boyer Street

Manchester

M16 0RE

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with Greater Manchester Police if you are still dissatisfied with the decision you can make an application to the Information Commissioner for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make an application to the Information Commissioner please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Phone: 01625 545 700

Corporate Performance Branch, Data Protection & Computer Audit Section, Police Headquarters,

8th Floor, Chester House, Boyer Street, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RE

Tel: 0161 856 2529, Fax: 0161 856 2534, Minicom: 0161 872 6633,

Email: [email address]

Information Governance Unit, Information Management Branch,

Police Headquarters, Chester House, Boyer Street, Manchester M16 0RE

Tel: 0161 856 2529/2668, Fax: 0161 856 2535, Minicom: 0161 872 6633,

Email: [Greater Manchester Police request email]