BFOI-016205 - Dog Enforcement
Dog-related enforcement activity and population data for Breckland.
Request
Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, could you please provide the following information:
- What is the current population of the area for which you are responsible?
- How many enforcement officers does your authority have who are responsible for enforcing regulations and compliance related to dogs? NB this does not necessarily mean it is their only job - just that as a part of their role they have the powers and responsibilities to enforce regulations and compliance related to dogs.
- In the calendar year 2025, how many total enforcement notices, e.g. fixed penalty notices, did your officers issue regarding dogs? NB an enforcement notice can include a form of written or formal warning, e.g. to someone for repeatedly having dog noise complaints made against them or repeatedly being warned about dog fouling.
- How many of these were in relation to antisocial behaviour (e.g. noise, excessive barking)?
- How many of these were in relation to someone failing to clean up their dog's mess (i.e. dog fouling)?
- How many of these were in relation to dogs being out in a public place whilst not wearing a tag with the legally required information on (i.e. owner's name and address)?
Response
1. What is the population of the area for which you are responsible? Response - In accordance with the Office for National Statistics in 2021 Breckland population was around 142,160.
2. How many enforcement officers does your authority have who are responsible for enforcing regulations and compliance related to dogs? Response - The Dog Enforcement is contracted out to Animal Warden Services https://www.animalwardenservices.co.uk/. However Breckland Council does have 1 x Enforcement level officer post who would cover this as part of their duties for FPNs etc.
3. In the calendar year 2025, how many total enforcement notices did your officers issue regarding dogs? Response - 2 FPNs were issued.
4. How many of these were in relation to antisocial behaviour (e.g. noise, excessive barking)? Response - 2, both for dog barking.
5. How many of these were in relation to someone failing to clean up their dog's mess (i.e. dog fouling)? Response - 0.
6. How many of these were in relation to dogs being out in a public place whilst not wearing a tag with the legally required information on? Response - 0.
