LEAD (Local Environmental Awareness on dogs)

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Let’s work together to be responsible dog owners.

LEAD (Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs) seeks to provide advice to the public on dog-related issues, as well as improving dog safety and welfare.

It will also help us deal with anti-social and inconsiderate behaviour by individuals with dogs in a way that protects and reassures the public.

The LEAD initiative will enable partners to share intelligence and implement a range of measures such as warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts and, ultimately, enforcement action if appropriate.

It is aimed at all dog owners in the Caerphilly County Borough area, whether in private or rented accommodation. This work is being promoted through engagement with dog owners during regular patrols and through day-to-day contact with owners of dogs that come to agency attention.

We are: -

  • Recording all incidents involving negative dog behaviour including dog attacks on people and animals, dog welfare and dog fouling. This is important to create a documented history should enforcement be necessary.
  • Encouraging owners (if a social housing resident) to register their dog with their landlord.
  • Educating adults and children across the county borough to recognise and report these unwanted behaviours, so by working together and sharing this information, knowledge and experiences, we can together make our communities safer for everyone to enjoy

When it’s time for police intervention

As well as encouraging responsible dog ownership and giving advice, there are times when it is necessary for police to intervene, initiate control measures and ultimately prosecute offenders

We will intervene when:

  • dogs are used by owners to commit crime.
  • dogs are linked with anti-social behaviour.
  • prohibited types / breeds come to notice
  • dogs are not under the appropriate control of the owner’

Control measures, sanctions and legislation

We will act to enforce the law and protect the public whenever necessary and where legislation permits. Measures include:

First warning letter

This will include key details of the incident - details that will be shared with relevant partners.

Letters will be sent with supporting literature.

Final warning letter

Should the dog’s behaviour come to notice again, a second letter will be hand delivered by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. At this stage the dog owner will also be given the opportunity to accept the offer of an educational course to improve their understanding of responsible dog ownership.

If the dog owner is a contract holder with a community landlord in Caerphilly County Borough, the information surrounding the antisocial behaviour will be shared with all relevant partners. This could result in action being taken against them.

Continued anti-social behaviour, could result in permission to have a dog being withdrawn or even the property being repossessed.

Acceptable Behaviour Contract

If further reports are received, within 6 months of the final warning letter the dog owner will automatically be referred to the Strike 3 Intervention Group, this group is represented by all key partner agencies who deal with ongoing anti-social behaviour cases.

The core group includes but is not exclusive to: Police, Community Landlords, Community Safety, Education, Youth Offending Service, Youth Service and Social Services.

Within this meeting your case and the incidents relating to your conduct will be discussed. If it is deemed by the Strike 3 Intervention Groups Chair that your conduct does constitute ongoing anti-social behaviour you will be offered an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts are a voluntary agreement between The Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership and the individual. If this is declined, the Neighbourhood Police Team will monitor the dog’s behaviour for 6 months.

Enforcement

Following further reports within 6 months the dog owner will be referred to the ‘Strike 4 Group’. The group is attended by all who attend the Strike 3 Intervention Group meeting as well as Legal Services. In this meeting your case will be reviewed and if deemed appropriate your case will be referred for enforcement action.

Such action could include Contingent Destruction Order on conviction under the Dangerous Dogs Act or Control Order, Dogs Act 1871 or a variety of Enforcement measures that are included in the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014:

  • Community Protection Warning / Notice (CPW/N)
  • Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI)
  • Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)
  • Closure order*

*Please note that the above measures can be sought at any time during the process

Report a dog attack 

Always call 999 if someone's life is at risk.

A dog attack is any incident where a dog rushes at, bites, attacks, harasses or chases a person or animal, even if no injury is caused.

It is a criminal offence for the person in charge of a dog to allow it to be dangerously out of control in a public place

Call Gwent Police on 101, or message them on Facebook or Twitter, for illegal breeds, organised dog fights, dangerous dogs, or anti-social behaviour with dogs.

Call your landlord for nuisance dogs or anti-social behaviour with dogs in your tenanted or leasehold accommodation. (This includes all community landlords and contact holders)

Call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 or the health and welfare of dogs.

Lead booklet

Partners

The initiative is supported by all Community Safety Partners including but not limited to, Police, Local Authority, Community Landlords, Health Board, Fire Service and Third Sector. All are working closely together to support and promote the work of LEAD.