Cornwall Council's Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service is responsible for dealing with a wide range of dog related issues.
What we deal with
- stray dogs - any dog that is unaccompanied in a public place or on private land (View a list of stray dogs we have recently collected)
- Barking dogs
- Dogs kept in such a manner so as to be a nuisance
- Dog fouling complaints
- Enforcing PSPOs - such as Dogs on beaches
- Dog identification and micro-chipping - Cornwall Council aims to be proactive in the promotion of responsible dog ownership through a balanced approach of advice, public education and enforcement
All dogs that are dealt with by the Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service are cared for in a manner so as to ensure their welfare is of utmost importance and we have been awarded a Platinum Footprint award by the RSPCA for the way in which we deal with dogs in our care.
Enforcement
We aim to engage, explain and encourage to achieve compliance with the law but, when appropriate, we will enforce the law where we find it is being deliberately flouted.
Our range of enforcement options include:
- providing information and advice face-to-face or in writing
- serving notices
- issuing Fixed Penalty Notices
- prosecution
What the Police deal with
- Dogs acting in a dangerous or aggressive manner (giving people reasonable fear of attack)
- The Dangerous Dogs Act, Banned dog breeds such as XL Bully & Pit Bull Types.
- Dogs worrying livestock on agricultural land
- Road traffic collisions involving dogs
- Control of guard dogs
- Dogs being used for illegal purposes (i.e. poaching)
- Dogs in cars on hot days
Should you wish to report any of these issues to the Police please call 101 unless it is a serious emergency.
Responsible dog ownership
Key Facts
As a responsible dog owner you need to be aware that the law requires you to do the following things:
- Your dog must wear a collar with an ID tag displaying the telephone number / address of the owner and be micro-chipped with up to date owners’ details recorded on a national database. Both forms of ID are a legal requirement.
- You must clean up after your dog fouls any area to which the public are entitled access (by way of payment or not). Failure to remove faeces immediately will result in a fixed penalty of £100.00 being issued to you. If you fail to pay within 14 days you may then be liable to prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.00.
- You must not let your dog out on its own at any time. If your dog is found straying on its own by a Dog Welfare and Enforcement Officer or a member of the public and handed into the Council, you will be liable to pay to have it released as well as all costs incurred.
- You must not let your dog bite or attack any person or other animal.
- Barking dogs can be considered a nuisance and enforcement action may be considered in dealing with persistent offenders. Officers from public health and protection may undertake investigations into noise nuisance. For further information please see our responsible dog owner leaflet.
Buying a Puppy
Our Animal Health and Welfare team have put together some good advice if you are thinking of buying a puppy. For further information please see our advice on buying a puppy poster.
Dog Welfare
If you are aware of a case of animal cruelty or have concerns for a dogs welfare please contact the
RSPCA on 0300 1234 999
Contact Us
You can contact us for help and advice by emailing publicprotection@cornwall.gov.uk or calling 0300 1234 212
