Norwich City Council

Council Services

Dogs

Norwich City Council is responsible for promoting responsible dog ownership and for a number of dog-related services. Dog wardens who are responsible for enforcing the law carry out most of this work.

Stray dogs

Central government has indicated that under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 the responsibility for stray dogs will shift from the police to the local council. Norwich City Council is still awaiting instruction from central government as to when this will be.

In the meantime, we have decided to assist the police and take over this responsibility with immediate effect.

A stray dog is a dog unsupervised in a public place regardless of whether it is wearing a collar and tag.

Stray dogs collected by city council dog wardens are placed in kennels for seven days before being re-homed. If a dog collected by a warden can be identified (by the collar and tag which owners are legally obliged to provide) the owner will be notified as soon as possible. The dog will only be released when payment has been made which includes a daily charge and any additional fees (such as veterinary fees).

Daily charges are as follows:

  • If a dog is reclaimed on day 1 - £68.25 plus variable veterinary and kennel fees and mileage
  • If a dog is reclaimed on day 2 - £78.75 plus variable veterinary and kennel fees and mileage
  • If a dog is reclaimed on day 3 - £89.25 plus variable veterinary and kennel fees and mileage
  • For each additional day an extra £10.50 is charged.

Owners who provide proof that they receive benefits will receive a £5.00 reduction.

Charges if the dog has not been taken to kennels:

  • Dog reclaimed on day 1 - £47.25 plus any additional fees (such as veterinary fees).
  • Dog reclaimed on day 1 (out of office hours) - £78.75 plus any additional fees (such as veterinary fees).
  • For a second offence within 6 months there will be an additional £26.25 charge.
  • For a third offence within 6 months there will be an additional £52.50 charge.

Should an owner decide not to collect their pet then the council will make every effort to re-home the dog. In these circumstances the appropriate charges as detailed above will still apply.

Claiming a stray dog

Stray dogs need to be reported immediately. The owner of a dog who can be traced will be sent a Stray Dog Notice and will need to bring this when claiming the dog.

An owner who has lost a dog but not been sent a Stray Dog Notice would need to give a detailed description of the dog to prove ownership. A photograph, a pedigree history or proof of ownership (such as a purchase receipt) are helpful when claiming a dog.

After the fee has been paid, details about where to collect the dog is given. This information is not given to the public.

Reporting lost or stray dogs

Lost or stray dogs in the Norwich area need to be reported to Norwich City Council. If you need to report a stray dog between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, please call the customer contact team on
0344 980 3333 and at all other times our Norwich Community Alarm Service on 01603 412180.

Alternatively, you can let us know by using our online reporting form.

Re-homing a stray dog

All stray dogs collected by the wardens are held in kennels for seven days waiting to be claimed by the owners. After the seven days has expired the kennels will then try to re-home them.

Collar and tag

Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992 every dog, while on a highway or public place must wear a collar with it's owner's name and address inscribed on it or on a plate or badge attached to it.

The council often attends or organises events to provide free ID tags for dogs. Keep an eye out in the local media, Citizen and this website for information about when the next one is being held in your area.

Voluntary dog register

Norwich City Council operates a tag register, which is free for Norwich residents. The dog’s details are kept on record and the owner is given a coloured tag with Norwich City Council dog warden contact details on it. This service is free and ensures that stray dogs can be quickly returned to their owner.

Dog micro-chipping

For additional security, dogs can be fitted with a microchip that registers details on a national database. If a dog is lost while away from home it can be returned. Most dog wardens have a device to read information from the chip. The chip can be inserted by a vet for a fee.

  • Norwich City Council sometimes runs free micro-chipping events. Keep an eye out in the local media, Citizen and this website for information about when the next one is being held in your area.


Neutering

It is important to get your dog spayed or castrated to avoid unwanted puppies. Puppies are very difficult to take care of, and need a lot of your time.

Your vet will be able to advise you of the procedure and there will probably be a fee.

The council recently ran an event where it offered free ID tags, micro-chipping, and neutering. We are planning to hold something like this again, so please keep an eye out in the local media, Citizen and this website for information about when the next one is being held in your area.


Parvovirus

We have had incidents of Parvovirus in Norwich, so it is important you have you dog vaccinated. For more information please contact your vet or visit www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm

Dog fouling

Dog wardens patrol public spaces daily. They issue fixed penalty tickets to people who don’t clear up their dogs’ mess. The fixed penalty is currently £50. Magistrates can impose a fine of up to £1000 if a case is referred to them. Dog mess should be placed in a plastic bag and can be put in one of the 748 litter bins in the city.

Noisy dogs

If dogs that constantly bark are a nusience, please call 0344 980 3333 . The owner will be contacted and, if necessary, action will be taken.

Dangerous dogs

If a dog is thought to be dangerous, or there is concern about the way in which it is behaving, please contact the Police.

Cruelty to dogs

For concerns about cruelty and welfare of dogs please contact the RSPCA on 0870 55 55 999

For more information about animal welfare generally, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk

It is important to understand your duty of care as a pet owner. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that 'the owner of a pet is legally obliged to care for their pet properly, by providing:

  • a proper diet, including fresh water
  • somewhere suitable to live
  • for any need to be housed with or apart from, other animals
  • the ability to express normal behaviour
  • protection from and treatment of, illness and injury'.

To see the Act in full, please visit the RSPCA website