Dangerous Dogs Act

The request was successful.

Dear Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner,

Dangerous Dogs Act Section 1 & 4B

1) Regarding the 'leave at home policy' for prohibited breeds who have not shown any cause for concern, is it your intention to reduce the number of dogs seized and kenneled when suspected and ID'd as type and encourage the use of ' leave at home' whilst legal proceedings take place?

2) Do the facilities you use for seized dogs held under the Dangerous Dogs Act practice and follow the guidance published by the RSPCA 'A Good Practical Guide For Enforcement Bodies - Meeting The Welfare Needs Of Seized Dogs In A Kennel Environment'?

3) If you do not use the above RSPCA guidance, do you have your own specific written guidance or rely on the AWA?

4)How often are the facilities you use for seized kenneled dogs inspected by yourselves or the RSPCA?

5)What procedures do you have for owners to follow if their dogs are returned in a bad condition or die whilst being held?

6)In the event that a dog is destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, do you allow the body to be returned to the family for private burial or cremation?

7)Is your Dangerous Dogs Act Policy freely available for downloading from your website?

Yours faithfully,

Caroline Murphy

Police Crime Commissioner,

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Police Crime Commissioner,

Dear Caroline Murphy

I write in reference to your Freedom of information request in respect of the above matter which was submitted on 5 November 2013. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire does not hold the information you have requested and I am, therefore, making arrangements to forward your request to Cheshire Constabulary. If you need to contact the Constabulary in relation to your request, the Constabulary's Freedom of Information Officer can be contacted on: 01606 364176.

Regards,

Lesley Booth
Administration Assistant

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
Clemonds Hey
Oakmere Road
Winsford
Cheshire
CW7 2UA
 
Telephone: 01606 364103
Email: [email address]
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This email and its contents should be treated as "NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED" unless otherwise stated

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Freedom of Information,

Dear Ms Murphy
 
I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence received 05/11/2013 which is
being dealt with as a request for information in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000.
 
I am in the process of dealing with your request and will respond in due
course and in any case by 03/12/2013. Please contact us by e-mail at
[email address] if you have any further enquiries.
 
Regards
 
Sarah Davies
Information Compliance
Professional Standards Department
Tel:    01606 366556

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Freedom of Information,

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Murphy
 
I refer to your recent request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000, as set out below:
 
Dangerous Dogs Act Section 1 & 4B
 
1) Regarding the 'leave at home policy' for prohibited breeds who have not
shown any cause for concern, is it your intention to reduce the number of
dogs seized and kennelled when suspected and ID'd as type and encourage
the use of ' leave at home' whilst legal proceedings take place?
 
2) Do the facilities you use for seized dogs held under the Dangerous Dogs
Act practice and follow the guidance published by the RSPCA 'A Good
Practical Guide For Enforcement Bodies - Meeting The Welfare Needs Of
Seized Dogs In A Kennel Environment'?
 
3) If you do not use the above RSPCA guidance, do you have your own
specific written guidance or rely on the AWA?
 
4)How often are the facilities you use for seized kennelled dogs inspected
by yourselves or the RSPCA?
 
5)What procedures do you have for owners to follow if their dogs are
returned in a bad condition or die whilst being held?
 
6)In the event that a dog is destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act, do
you allow the body to be returned to the family for private burial or
cremation?
 
7)Is your Dangerous Dogs Act Policy freely available for downloading from
your website?
 
In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act, our response is as
follows:
1, We still leave dogs at home under the 4B criteria and only seize on the
day of the court hearing or night before. Dogs are then only in our care
for between 7-10 days sometimes less
2, The kennels we use do not use the RSPCA guide but are checked and
licensed by the appropriate authorities to provide care for the dogs
3, As the kennels do not use the RSPCA guide the AWA is relied upon
4 The kennels are inspected on a regular basis by the attending DLO and a
visit is done almost every week.
5, One dog has died whilst in our care, the dog having never been
inoculated by the owner and as such contracted a disease. All dogs were
given a booster on entering the kennel system but this is ineffective if
the dogs have never been given their inoculations. All dogs now unless
otherwise proved will be given inoculations on entry.  Any complaints of
the dog being returned in poor condition are investigated (this has only
happened once and was proved by Police/Vets that the dog had entered with
the conditions said to have been caused by us) by the DLO and if necessary
Vet intervention. All dogs are checked over by a vet on entry and any
issued are treated.
6, Several dogs have been returned upon cremation when requested by the
owners. The owners however must pay for the individual cremation of their
animal.
7, We do not have a specific policy document
If I can be any further assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
 
If you are not satisfied with the decision applied in this case I enclose
for your attention a copy of the Constabulary's appeal procedures.
 
 
Regards
 
John Gannon
Information Compliance
Professional Standards Department
Tel:  01606 364176

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Dear Freedom of Information,

Thank you very much for your prompt reply and detailed answers which have been very much appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Murphy