Houndmistress

Caerphilly Council

Policy on scanning of stray dogs - Caerphilly will scan stray dogs for a microchip.  However, they do not record how many dogs are returned to their owners without entering kennels.    

Policy on scanning of dead dogs - Taken to depot and scanned.  If chip present, owner notified. 

Microchipping provision - Microchipping is provided when dog owners take up low cost neutering, but the website advises that there is a waiting list of around six months for this service.  

Numbers of stray dogs - Click here to see the summary sheet for Caerphilly Council stray dog figures (opens in new window), supplied via FOI requests.   

Additional services - Low cost neutering can be provided, where a dog is at least six months old, but there is a waiting list of around six months to access this service.  

Contact Details for Dog Warden Service

Email publicservices@caerphilly.gov.uk 

Telephone 01495 235036

Click here to see the website checklist (opens in new window).

One of the most depressing, and shocking aspects of the Council's website is that it states     

          " No dogs are put to sleep except in exceptional circumstances."

Even the most cursory look at the figures provided by Caerphilly themselves show a consistent and high percentage of dogs are killed,  with an all time high of 11.29% of all strays being killed last year.  One of my intended aims this year is to further investigate this claim.  I've begun this process by submitting a further FOI request on criteria for killing, who is authorised to permit, and reasons for killing for all 188 dogs killed on behalf of Caerphilly taxpayers in the past four years.     

The link I've provided gives the proportions killed of all stray dogs entering the system, including those who are reunited with their owners within the seven day period.  However, the picture is even grimmer if you look at those dogs who are not reunited with their owner - these are the dogs who are effectively dumped, abandoned and unwanted.  The lucky ones are rehomed.  The unlucky ones form a big group.  Here are the figures; for each year I've shown total number of dogs, less number reclaimed by owner.  The kill rate is then calculated as a percentage of this figure of dogs sent for rehoming. 

2007/08

578 - 112 =  466

46/466 = 9.87%

2008/09

600 - 158 =442

58/442 = 13.12%

2009/10

423 - 128 = 295

35/295 =11.86%

2010/11

434 -116 = 318

49/318 = 15.40%

Last year, if a stray in Caerphilly was not claimed within seven days, it faced an approximately one in six chance of facing the needle rather than a new home. 

Update - After submitting a FOI request in July, I finally received a response in October 2011, after being forced to make a complaint about the lack of response.  Sadly, this is a very common occurrence with FOI requests to local Councils.  Caerphilly says, in a response from the Senior Environmental Health Officer :-

"The Authority has written criteria.

Dogs are only put to sleep for behaviour or sickness reasons.

This criteria was written in 2009 but is reviewed continuously as circumstances prevail.

Dogs are only put to sleep for sickness reasons on the instructions of a vet.

The two dog wardens and the Senior Environmental Health Officer are the only officers authorised to decide which dogs are put to sleep."

The response also went on to say that no records were kept of the reasons for killing each of the dogs. 

My next job is to further investigate the written criteria mentioned.  In my letter, I asked about rehoming of stray dogs, and was told that the Council does no rehoming itself, but effectively sub-contracts this to two local charities.  My guess is that these local charities are going in and taking those dogs they think they can rehome and the dogs left behind are the ones that are killed.   

Costs of Releasing Dog from Council Pounds -

Payment by cash or credit/debit cards are accepted.  No provision is made for payment in instalments. 

The release fee for the dog is £44 plus kennelling fees. 

Kennelling  Services - Are provided by a contractor. 

Revenue budgets - 2010/11 - £140,295

                          2011/12 - £147,484 

This page updated 5th March 2012  

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