Dog enforcement and dog wardens team - Print version

Dog enforcement and dog wardens

Coventry's dog enforcement (formally animal welfare) and dog warden team, control stray dogs and provides many other services in relation to animals, including:

• Controlling stray dogs, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• Advice on dangerous or aggressive dogs, as defined by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and Dogs Act 1871.
• Issuing fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, as specified by Anti - Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014.
• Putting up 'No Dog Fouling' notices and ground stencils.
• Investigating dog fouling in private gardens that is causing a nuisance by smell or flies under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• The issuing of animal-related licences for pet shops, zoos, boarding, breeding and riding establishments, and for dangerous, wild and performing animals.

If you wish to contact the team regarding any issues relating to the above, please email dogenforcement@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:dogenforcement@coventry.gov.uk].

Please do not call us - our phone is for live incidents only (such as stray dogs) and you will be asked to send an email instead, please be patient and a Dog Enforcement Officer will respond to your email.

Cruelty to animals

If you suspect that an animal of any kind is the victim of any form of cruelty, please contact the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) [http://www.rspca.org.uk/].

Animal nuisance

We will investigate complaints of animal nuisance.

Anyone owning a pet has a duty to keep it in a way which does not interfere with their neighbours' enjoyment of their homes. We always try to resolve problems through information and advice. However, irresponsible pet ownership is classed as anti-social behaviour and noise and smell nuisance may be dealt with under the Environmental Protection Act which carries a fine of up to £5,000.

We respond to a range of complaints of nuisances caused by animals:

• Dog foul in domestic gardens and on public land [/info/64/animals_and_pests/447/dog_fouling]
• Dogs straying [/info/64/animals_and_pests/772/stray_dogs]
• Dangerous/aggressive dogs [/info/64/animals_and_pests/770/dangerous_dogs]
• Smell caused by animals in domestic properties
• Dog-on-dog attacks

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding dog attacks (if your dog has been attacked by another), nuisance dogs or smell caused by animals in domestic properties, please fill out our online form and a member of the team will get in touch with you.

If your complaint is about dog fouling please visit our Dog fouling in domestic gardens and on public land [/info/64/animals_and_pests/447/dog_fouling] page first for further advice and a separate online form.

Please do not report stray dogs online. To report a stray dog that is without an owner right now, call 07976 736957 (office hours are: 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday). This number is only to be used for the purpose of reporting stray dogs.

For complaints regarding nuisance dogs, dog-on-dog attacks etc please email dogenforcement@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:dogenforcement@coventry.gov.uk].

Neutering

When it comes to male dogs, the greatest benefit of neutering is that it cuts down on their urge to roam. Male dogs can sniff out a female dog that is in season. The male dog can be so driven that he will do anything that he can - dig under fences, run across busy roads, get into fights with other dogs - to get to her. Once a male dog starts to roam it's hard to break the habit.

Other bad behaviours that can be helped by neutering include jumping, aggression towards other male dogs and territorial behaviour, all of which are related to the levels of testosterone present in the adolescent male. 

On average, vets recommend neutering male dogs between six to 12 months of age. 

Spaying a female dog removes the ovaries and the uterus and, therefore, their ability to have puppies. Having your dog spayed before the first season reduces the risk of her developing mammary cancer by 100%. Female dogs that are not spayed can develop mammary cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer, spaying your dog eliminates all of these.

For further advice on neutering your dog please contact your local vet.

Dogs and fireworks

Remember, Remember, our dogs this November!

Bonfire night can be a scary night for our pets, it’s important to make them feel safe and calm during the fireworks. With that in mind, our Dog Wardens have come up with some top tips to keep your dog calmer and happier this bonfire night.

Before the fireworks begin:

• Walk your dog before it gets dark to lessen the chance of your dog being outside when fireworks go off and possibly running away. This will also help them to settle. 
• Keep your dog on a lead when out, even if your dog doesn’t usually react to fireworks. 
• Feed your dog before the fireworks begin as they will not want to eat when they are scared. 
• Make sure your house and garden are secure; a scared dog may panic and try to escape. 
• Update your dog’s microchip details and keep their collar and ID tag on them, just in case! 
• Never take your dog to a fireworks display! Even if it doesn’t bark or whimper at the noise, it doesn’t mean they are happy. Excessive panting/ yawning/ licking of lips are all signs of a stressed dog.

During the fireworks:

• Provide a safe hiding place in your home, some dogs like to retreat to a ‘den’ filled with blankets or inside a crate with a blanket over the top to make them feel safe.
• Close your windows, curtains/blinds and keep the TV/radio on to help drown out the loud noises.
• Let your dog pace around, whine and hide in a corner if they want to. Do not try to coax them out – it’s just trying to find safety, and should not be disturbed.
• Don’t punish your dog for being scared, your dog doesn’t understand that the loud noises are not going to harm them and so bonfire night can be very stressful for them.
• Try not to reward your dog when it reacts to the noise, it’s best to act like there’s nothing to worry about.

Public Space Protection Order (dog control)

The current Public Space Protection Order – Coventry Dog Control has been in force for the past three years and will continue to until the order expires in August 2024. At this time the order will be reviewed.

We believe that the order has been very successful. This is due to the excellent work performed by Coventry’s responsible dog owners who challenge bad behaviour and have been part of a considerable behaviour change in the city, particularly in our parks. We believe that by renewing the Order for a further three years, it will continue to empower the majority of dog walkers and enable council officers to deal with the minority of people who have little consideration for others.

XL Bully Dogs guidance

From 31 December 2023, breeding, selling, exchanging, advertising, rehoming, gifting, abandoning, and allowing an XL Bully dog to stray, will be illegal.

During the transition period, which is now open and runs until 31 January 2024, owners who wish to keep their XL Bully dogs, must apply for a Certificate of Exemption. Alternatively, owners who choose to have their dog put to sleep, can apply for compensation to help cover the costs of euthanasia (you must apply for this before 15 March 2024).

Latest Government guidance on the ban of XL Bully Dogs [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs] including links to apply for a Certificate of Exemption, applying for compensation, and how to check if your dog is an XL Bully dog.Once the ban is in place, if you do not have a Certificate of Exemption and are found to be in possession of an XL Bully dog, you could face prosecution and a fine.