Tendring has two dog wardens. They can help with most dog related problems for example: noise from barking dogs, dog fouling and stray dogs. They will also provide advice on responsible dog ownership and carry out a full micro-chipping service.

You can contact the dog warden service on 01255 686766 or via email dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk

To report a dog bin that needs emptying please use the Waste Crusader report form which can be filled in and submitted online.

Useful Information:

• What to do if you find a stray dog?
• Is your dog barking too much?
• Dog beach ban areas in Tendring
• Information on the control of Dogs
• Stray Dogs - Found
• Dogs needing re-homing

Stray Dogs

In law any dog found unaccompanied in a public place or on land where it has no right to be will (if practicable) be seized as a stray dog. The dog will be taken to Council Offices at Weeley, (Thorpe Road, Weeley, CO16 9AJ) where it will be held until 4pm on the day of seizure when it will be transfered to a local Boarding Kennel. The dogs will only be released back to the owner on payment of a government imposed statutory seizure charge of £25 plus kenneling and any other charges accrued. If the dogs identification does not comply with the Control of Dogs Order (1992) the owner may be liable for prosecution with a maximum fine of £5000.

For information on what to do if you find a stray dog, including contact details and where you can take the dog, please see the What to do if you find a stray dog?Local residents willing to provide a good home to a dog can contact the dog wardens on 01255 686766 or via email dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk

All dogs that need re-homing can be found dogs needing re-homing. A contribution is asked for the upkeep of the dog whilst it has been looked after in the kennels and for micro-chipping.
Tendring District Council Dog Warden Service has been awarded the RSPCA Community Animal Welfare Footprint Gold Award for the stray dog service and the Silver Award for Animal Welfare Principles. These awards recognise the excellence of the dog warden service and its policies and procedures.

How to reclaim your Dog

If your dog is seized you can arrange to collect if from the Council Offices, Thorpe Road, Weeley, CO16 9AJ during office hours (Mon - Thurs 8.45 - 5.15 and Fri 8.45 - 4.45). Please call 01255 686766 to arrange collection. All fees and charges accrued will have to be paid before the dog is released. (See fees and charges below).

Fees And Charges

Charge for dog if collected by owner before kennelling.

Charges for dogs which are collected by owner after kennelling.

Optional charge for micro-chipping £15.00 per dog.

Owners wanting their dog returned to their home will be charged an additional £10.00 plus mileage charge of 40p per mile.

The cost of any veterinary treatment including care administered by the kennels is in addition to the above charges and will be recharged in full.

Beach Ban Areas

To protect the beach for users dogs are banned from some of the more popular beach areas in the Tendring district from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be kept on a lead on adjacent cliff paths and promenades. All beach ban areas are clearly signed and they include beaches at Harwich, Dovercourt, Walton-on-the-Naze, Frinton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea and Brightlingsea.

For details of which beaches are included please see the Guide to Dog Bans on Beaches page or pick up a leaflet from Tendring District Council Cash Offices.

Dogs are banned from most children's play areas.

Dog wardens patrol all of Tendring district and you may be prosecuted if you ignore the beach control orders or fail to clean up after your dog.

Responsible dog ownership

Always clean up after your dog

Tendring has approximately 1,000 dog waste bins and litter bins across the district for the disposal of dog waste. You can be issued with a fixed penalty notice, currently £50.00, if you are witnessed not clearing up after your dog or you can be taken to court and face a fine of up to £1,000. Dog waste bags are available from Tendring District Council cash offices (subject to availability).

Worming

Regular worming (treatment available from the vet) keeps the dog healthy and the faeces free of the harmful roundworm eggs which, if left, can develop into larvae which cause the toxicara infection. Once in the human bloodstream, this can result in illness or even blindness, so it is of particular concern where children play on grassed areas.

Flea treatment

Dogs (and cats) should be kept free of these parasites by regular application of flea treatment available from the vet. An animal with fleas suffers immense discomfort, not to mention serious illness if left untreated. The owner who overlooks preventative flea treatment can expect high vet bills, lengthy treatment of home and pet - and a few bites round the ankles!

Vaccinations

Puppies require a course of vaccinations followed by an annual booster through adulthood to protect them from serious common illnesses. No reputable kennels will accept a pet for boarding without an up-to-date vaccination certificate signed by a vet.

Neutering

Neutering is a routine operation, which prevents pets from producing young, and reduces some common behavioural problems in dogs. The vet can perform the operation on pets from six months of age onwards. Neutering prevents the birth of thousands of puppies each year for which there are not enough good homes to go round.

Collar and tag

Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, all dogs when out in a public place must wear a collar and tag with the name and address of the owner inscribed on it. Owners who fail to comply with this are liable for prosecution and a fine of up to £5000.

Dog training

Walks are more fun if your dog always comes back when called and doesn't pull on the lead. The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Schemes are a fun way to train your dog and learn how to keep it happy and healthy. Contact The Kennel Club.

Microchipping

Microchipping is permanent identification of pets by implanting a tiny chip bearing a unique number underneath the animal's skin at the back of the neck. Dog wardens, vets and animal rescue centres routinely scan dogs which come into their care with a special reader and, by checking the number against a central database, can swiftly connect lost pets with owners anywhere in the country. You could save yourself a large kenneling charge if your dog is picked up as a stray.

Should you wish to have your animal micro-chipped the Council's dog wardens operate regular microchipping surgeries where dogs will be microchipped for £15.00 per animal. Contact the Council's dog warden service on 01255 686766 or via email dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk to book an appointment.

Keeping control

Every dog owner is responsible for his/her dog's behaviour at all times. Dogs should be kept under the control of a responsible adult and must not be allowed to stray onto the public highway. Control your dogs so that it does not scare or disturb farm animals or wildlife. Dogs should be exercised on leads where appropriate and should be muzzled where necessary. Young children should not be allowed to exercise dogs unsupervised. If your dog is travelling in a vehicle use a mesh wire cage, dog guard, harness or pet carrier.

Barking Dogs

• Don't let your dog bark or whine for long periods.
• Keep your dog indoors if it barks constantly when unattended or disturbed.
• If your dog still barks when indoors make arrangements to leave it with a neighbour or friend or get someone to call in - leave its favourite toy or put the radio on at very low volume.
• Move the kennel or erect a fence so that your dog is disturbed less often by passers-by. Attend a dog training class to retrain your dog and change his / her behaviour.
• Please read the defra guidance leaflet : Is your dog barking too much? pdf.doc.

Control of Dogs

Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits four types of dog:

• the Pit Bull Terrier type
• the Japanese tosa
• the Dogo Argentino
• the Fila Brasileiro

It is an offence to own or keep any of the above types of dog, unless it is on the Index of Exempted Dogs and is in compliance with the requirements. In any event it is an offence to breed from, sell or exchange (even as a gift) such a dog, irrespective of whether it has been placed on the Index of Exempted Dogs. For further information on the Dangerous Dogs Act and dogs that are banned in the UK please visit Directgov.

And remember - ALWAYS CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG

Useful links:

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Tel: 0870 3335999

Dogs Trust Tel: 020 78370006