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Animal Welfare
The Animal Welfare Team gives advice and practical help for pets and animals in the city. They investigate complaints about stray animals, dangerous dogs, dog fouling and cases of animal cruelty.
Owning a pet is a big responsibility and there are some legal requirements that need to be considered when caring for them.
The law requires that:
- dog owners must clean up after their dog has fouled in a public place. This includes parks, grass verges, amenity areas, sports fields, pavements, roads and beaches. Failure to do this could result in a fine of up to £1000
- dogs must wear a collar and ID tag with the owner's name and address on it. Failure to tag your dog could result in a fine of up to £5000
- animals must never be left in hot cars. On a warm sunny day never leave your pet in a car, they could die. It is an illegal offence and could result in a fine of up to £5000 and/or six months in prison
- dogs are prohibited from some beaches between 1 May and 30 September. These areas are clearly signposted. Dogs on the promenade must always be kept on a lead. Failure to abide by the local by-laws could result in prosecution
New rules on dogs are agreed
New rules on keeping dogs under control and making our city safer and cleaner come into force on 1 January 2009.
Up until now we've had separate bylaws for Brighton and for Hove - a hangover from when they were two seperate councils.
The streamlining of our bylaws follows extensive consultation by the council residents. Cleaning up after dogs, keeping them on leads and banning them from some areas of the city were among a series of measures on which we asked people's views.
The new rules will be simpler and easier to follow. They focus on preventing road traffic accidents, dogs out of control, and reducing the risk of the toxocara diesease being transmitted to children.
Fixed penalty notices for offences have been set at £80 and will be enforced by the council's animal welfare service.
The orders maybe inspected free of charge and copies obtained (at a reasonable charge) at the City Direct Offices, Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square and Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, during normal opening hours 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Use this link to view a detailed Google map of the Dog Control Areas in Brighton & Hove.
Dog Control Order 1 Fouling of Land [PDF 27.1kb]
Dog Control Order 2 Keeping on lead [PDF 25.4kb]
Dog Control Order 3 Putting on a lead by Direction [PDF 17.0kb]
Dog Control Order 4 Exclusion from Land [PDF 24.3kb]
The Professional Dog Walkers Code
In Autumn 2009 Brighton and Hove City Council launched The professional Dog Walkers Code of Conduct. This Voluntary scheme was implemented after consultation with local dog walking companies. The idea is to promote the highest standard of best practise among dog walking companies operating within the district of our City. Click here to view a list of companies approved and signed up as members.
Animal Welfare Charter
The council has adopted an Animal Welfare Charter to reflect the concerns of local people who care about animal welfare and any cruel treatment, abuse or neglect of animals. You can view or download the charter: Animal Welfare Charter [PDF 75kb]
Animal Welfare Act 2006
From 6 April 2007, animal welfare law is being improved.
It is still against the law to be cruel to an animal. But now you must also ensure that all the welfare needs of your animals are met.
What does the new law do?
It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met.
These include the need:
- For a suitable environment (place to live)
- For a suitable diet
- To exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- To be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable)
- To be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease
The new law also increases to 16 the minimum age at which a person can buy an animal and prohibits giving animals as prizes to unaccompanied children under this age.
Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.
The animal welfare team will respond to welfare complaints and if you have any concerns the team can be contacted on Tel (01273) 292929
More details on the act can be found on the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs website
The Act enables the government and Parliament to make secondary legislation on specific issues. More information on secondary legislation is available here; and some extra information on some of these issues in particular can be found here:
Mutilations and Tail Docking
Racing Greyhounds
Pet Fairs and Pet Sales
Primates as Pets
Wild Animals in Circuses
Game Birds
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call if I have found a stray dog?
Telephone (01273) 292929 with as many details as possible, including its breed, colour and size. We will also need to know details of where you are so we can collect the dog. At the weekend and evenings when our offices are closed, the Council has an out of hour's service. During these times we will only collect a stray dog if you have it in your possession. Our out of hours number is 07827 967088.
What should I do if I witness animal cruelty or encounter a dangerous dog?
Telephone (01273) 292929 with as many details as possible. Officers will need the address where the animal lives, an account of what happened, a description of the animal and contact details of any witnesses.
What should I do if I lose a dog?
Call the Animal Welfare Team on (01273) 292929 as soon as possible giving as much information about the animal as you are able, including colour, breed, where it was lost, what it's name is and if it responds to it's name. We would also like to know if the animal had a collar and identification tag and if it is micro-chipped. If you have lost your dog evenings and weekends, our out of hours service maybe able to help you they can be contacted on 07827 967088.
Other useful contacts
- RSPCA for all animals (01273) 554218
- Dogs Trust (01273) 452576
-
Sussex Police for dogs 0845 6070999
For further information, help and advice, contact the Animal Welfare Team on:
Telephone: (01273) 292929 or 292446
Typetalk: 18001 01273 290000
email: ehl.community@brighton-hove.gov.uk