Dog kennels 582/2024
FOI Reference: 582/2024
Request:
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding the use of private contracted kennels by your Police Force for seized dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Specifically, I am interested in understanding how contracted kennels are selected, how dog welfare is monitored, the frequency of visits by Dog Legislation Officers as well as the provisions for dogs who may be unable to be exercised outside of their kennel on a daily basis.
- Do you follow the RSPCA’s Welfare of Seized Dogs in Kennels Guide?
Yes ☐ No ☐
If no, what guidelines do you use when selecting contracted kennels and monitoring the welfare of dogs within contracted kennels?
- Where do you house seized dogs? (Please add the capacity of dogs that can be housed in the kennels in the relevant column)
Police Kennels Yes ☐ No ☐ Capacity:
Private Kennels Yes ☐ No ☐ Capacity
- What provisions do you have in place for seized dogs if/when capacity is full?
- How often are visits made to seized dogs in police/private kennels? (please check)
Frequency of Visits
Seizing Authority Visits
Daily ☐
Weekly ☐
Bi-Weekly ☐
Monthly ☐
Less than Monthly ☐
Other (please state) ☐
Vet Visits
Daily ☐
Weekly ☐
Bi-Weekly ☐
Monthly ☐
Less than Monthly ☐
Other (please state) ☐
Comments
- Is your private kennel in your police force area?
Yes ☐ No ☐
If no, what is the distance to the kennel from seizing area?
- Do you provide individual plans for seized dogs that the private kennels can follow i.e. environmental, dietary, veterinary support and exercise plans?
If yes, please can you provide an example of this?
- What provisions are in place for dogs whose behaviour restricts them from being taken out of their kennel for daily exercise or contact with people?
- What provisions are in place to provide opportunities for dogs to perform natural behaviours such as exercise, chewing/digging, socialising and to meet the medical needs of dogs who are considered unsafe for staff to enter the kennels of?
- Are there processes in place to request support from a Clinical Animal Behaviourist to meet the welfare needs of individual dogs?
Yes ☐ No ☐
- Do you provide the following for seized dogs in both police kennels and contracted kennels?
- Individual dietary requirements i.e. allergies Yes ☐ No ☐
- Medicines provided by the owner’s vet for ongoing medical conditions Yes ☐ No ☐
- Preventative Medicines i.e. flea, tick, worm, and vaccinations Yes ☐ No ☐
- Medicines provided by kennels vet for conditions developed whilst kennelled? Yes ☐ No ☐
- Enrichment toys/food puzzles, sniffing/chewing Yes ☐ No ☐
- Bedding of Suitable Material Yes ☐ No ☐
Response:
I can confirm Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Response to Q1-
All kennels used are accredited via their respective local authority.
All employees are vetted by Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police.
All documentation regarding licensing and insurance MUST be provided by any contracted kennels.
Response to Q2
Private kennels are used. Capacity not known due to being a private kennels.
Response to Q3
Sufficient arrangements are in place with our contracted kennels to ensure that capacity does not reach it’s limit.
Response to Q4
All dogs are checked by Dog Legislation officers on each visit to contracted kennels. As a minimum monthly checks are conducted.
Vet visits are as and when required. Dogs with no proof of vaccination will receive an initial visit to ensure vaccinations are up to date. Any subsequent visits by a vet would be at the request of kennel staff/DLO
Response to Q5
Yes. The private kennels used are within the Dyfed-Powys Police Force area.
Response to Q6
Yes – at owners request.
Specialist dog food would be collected from owner and taken to kennels by local dog handlers.
Response to Q7
All utilised kennels have individual exercise runs.
Response to Q8
This is at discretion of kennel staff.
Any items that kennels wish to purchase to perform natural behaviours can be purchased and charged to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Response to Q9
Any assessment regarding behaviour or welfare needs can be requested by a DLO.
Response to Q10
Specialist food can be provided by the owner of the dog.
Owner can provide medications from their own vet.
Flea, tick and worm treatment and vaccinations are given in kennels.
Medicines can be provided by kennel vet for conditions developed whilst in kennels.
Toys etc - This is at discretion of kennel staff.
Any items that kennels wish to purchase to perform natural behaviours can be purchased and charged to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Bedding is dependant on behaviour of dog.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 31/07/2024)