I am submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the handling of stray dogs and kennelling arrangements within your authority. Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025, or the most recent 5-year period available. If providing 5 years of data would exceed the cost limit, please provide the most recent 3-year period instead.

1. Stray Dog Intake and Outcomes
a) The total number of stray dogs taken into your authority’s care: 286
b) Of those, the number: Reclaimed by owners: 135
• Rehomed (via rescues or otherwise): 12
• Euthanised: 2
• Transferred to rescue organisations: 137

2. Kennelling and Costs
a) The average cost per dog per day for kennelling: £30
b) The average length of stay for stray dogs: claimed dogs, 3 days – unclaimed dogs, 9 days
c) The total annual cost of stray dog kennelling (if available): £2,275 variable average

3. Holding Period and Decision Making
a) The standard holding period for stray dogs before outcome decisions: 7 days
b) Whether your authority has arrangements with rescue organisations for rehoming: Yes
c) If so, the criteria used to determine whether a dog is suitable for rehoming: All dogs are subject to an extensive temperament test to ensure that they are suitable for rehoming. Criteria include Handler Aggression & Dog on Dog aggression

4. Dogs Suspected of Prohibited Type
Where recorded:
a) The number of stray dogs identified or suspected to be of a prohibited type: 2
b) The number of such dogs: Referred to police: 0
• Retained in kennels pending assessment: 2
• Euthanised: 0
• Transferred to rescue (if applicable): 2
c) Whether stray dogs identified or suspected as being of a prohibited type are afforded the standard statutory 7-day holding period under Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990: Yes
d) Where such dogs are not afforded the 7-day holding period, please provide:
• the policy or legal basis for this decision • whether the dog is immediately transferred to police • and the point at which responsibility transfers from the local authority to the police: N/A
e) Whether any internal guidance or policy exists regarding the handling of stray dogs suspected to be of a prohibited type, and if so, please provide a copy: The Handling of suspected breeds or types is a function discharged to our Contractor. All policies and procedures relating to the handling of such dogs are the property of our contractor and therefore cannot be released