Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
Police
Headquarters
Amanda Dunckley
West Hill
request-8542-
Romsey Road
[email address]
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5DB
Telephone: 0845 045 45 45
Our ref: HC/00795/09
Direct dial: 01962 814757
Your ref:
Fax No: 01962 871204
Deaf/speech impaired minicom: 01962 875000
Email: [email address]
1st April 2009
Dear Ms Dunckley
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HC/00795/09
Your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act was received by the
Information Compliance Unit at Hampshire Constabulary on 4th March 2009 I note you seek
access to the following information:
1. How many dogs have been seized under Section One of the Dangerous Dogs
Act in each year from 2000 to 2008?
2. How many prosecutions under Section One and Section Three of the
Dangerous Dogs Act did the Hampshire police proceed with in 2007 and
2008?
3. 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?
4. How many applications have been made to the magistrate’s court under
section 4b of the Dangerous Dogs Act in the last three years?
5. Of those 4b applications, how many resulted in destruction orders and how
many resulted in registration onto the Index of Exempted Dogs?
6. How many dogs are currently held under Section One and Section Three of
the Dangerous Dogs Act?
7. 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?
RESULT OF SEARCHES
Point 1
This information is exempt from disclosure under s21 of the Freedom of Information Act,
Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means.
Information relating to the seizure of dangerous dogs has been released previously under
FOI and is published on the Hampshire Constabulary website at the following link:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2B819E04-0E92-4B72-A6D6-
CD058C0C1F85/0/HC0119808.pdf
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
Point 2
The number of prosecutions under Section One and Section Three of the Dangerous Dogs
Act are as follows:
2007
2008*
8/21 8/23 8/21 8/22 8/23
Charged 7
20
9
9
Summoned
40
1
30
Charged - Lesser Offence
1
Charged - alternative offence rule
1
3
Simple
Caution
9 6 9 1 2
Conditional Caution
1
Juvenile Reprimand
1
6
4
Offender Dead
1
* Please note that not all charges may have been finalised for the 2008 calendar year
Point 3
Hampshire Constabulary does not hold this information as the answer is none.
Points 4 & 5
Hampshire Constabulary does not hold this information. Destruction orders are issued by
the Magistrates/ Judge following a trial, therefore you may wish to contact the courts for this
information.
Point 6
5 dogs are currently being held in kennels.
Point 7
4 dogs.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet detailing your rights.
Thank you for your interest in Hampshire Constabulary.
Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Becky
Hill on telephone number 01962 814757 quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Becky Hill
Freedom of Information Decision Maker
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
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 Hampshire Constabulary to review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint, you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with
the case officer who 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 Hampshire Constabulary made
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, you can lodge a
complaint with Hampshire Constabulary to have the decision reviewed. Hampshire Constabulary
must be notified of your intention to complain within 2 months of the date of its response to your
Freedom of Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
Freedom of Information
Information Compliance Unit
Police Headquarters
West Hill, Romsey Road
Winchester
Hants SO22 5DB
In all possible circumstances, Hampshire Constabulary will aim to respond to your complaint within 3
months.
The Information Commissioner
If, after lodging a complaint with Hampshire Constabulary, you are still dissatisfied with the decision,
you may make 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 Freedom of
Information Act (2000).
For information on how to make 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
Telephone: 01625 545 700
www.hampshire.police.uk
