Response 4054061

Response to request for information

Reference

4054061

Response date

21 July 2026

Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to make the following request for information relating to the animal services provided by your local authority.

Dog Warden Service

1. Does the local authority employ a dog warden or outsource the role? If the role is outsourced, who is responsible?
2. What has been the local authority’s annual spend on the dog warden service for the last three years? Either for inhouse or outsourcing the role.

Dog bites on authority workers

1. Does the local authority have a documented standard operating procedure or policy regarding dog safety for workers visiting private property in the course of their employment? Please include both workers employed directly by the local authority and workers contracted to work on the authority’s behalf, for eg including, but not limited to, refuse collectors, social workers, housing officers etc
2. How many instances of dog bites were reported to RIDDOR (https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/) in the last three years by the local authority? Please indicate whether your available data separates workers from members of the public. If it does, please supply the two figures separately.

I understand that certain details might need to be redacted to ensure compliance with data protection laws and maintain confidentiality. However, please provide as much information as possible within the bounds of the law.

Response

Dog Warden Service

1. Does the local authority employ a dog warden or outsource the role? If the role is outsourced, who is responsible? We employ two Pest Control & Animal Welfare Officers who have dog warden activities as part of their role.
2. What has been the local authority’s annual spend on the dog warden service for the last three years? Either for inhouse or outsourcing the role.

• • 2023 £64,375
  • 2024 £64,385
  • 2025 £123,593

Dog bites on authority workers

1. Does the local authority have a documented standard operating procedure or policy regarding dog safety for workers visiting private property in the course of their employment? Please include both workers employed directly by the local authority and workers contracted to work on the authority’s behalf, for eg including, but not limited to, refuse collectors, social workers, housing officers etc This is part of a risk assessment.
2. How many instances of dog bites were reported to RIDDOR (https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/) in the last three years by the local authority? Please indicate whether your available data separates workers from members of the public. If it does, please supply the two figures separately. Zero