FOI 339955
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 339955
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 7th June 2024. Please find below the response to your request:
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 ☐
Reply
Firstly please accept my apologies for the length of time taken for your request.
West Mercia Police does hold the requested information.
1.
No. Kennels are subject to local authority inspection subject to Government Dog Kennel Boarding Legislation Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 refers.
2.
Police Kennels NO
Private Kennels YES 36
3.
Contact other kennels to see if they have space - under regional arrangements.
4.
Frequency of visits
Weekly (at least)
Vets visits
Weekly at least or on call if required to manage a medical emergency
5.
YES
6.
NO The kennels are given the information for every dog seized, and decisions are made depending on each dog.
7.
Each case is dealt with individually, depending on the dog. The kennels are under contract to exercise the dogs in their care. Provisions are in place to allow dogs who can’t be handled into secure, safe exercise areas. If the issue is extreme, dogs in our care have been conveyed to a specialist provider to ensure they are exercised.
8.
Each dog has an individual kennel that meets the requirements for them to be able to express themselves within exercise areas. If safe and suitable, they are given toys for enrichment at police expense. If it is unsafe to provide medical care to a dog, it may be necessary for a dog to be sedated to provide the treatment in extreme conditions.
9.
NO - options are open for staff to complete CPD. The Dogs Trust who provide such training is being explored at the kennel providers' expense.
10.
YES to all questions