We are currently experiencing intermittent issues with public access, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.We currently employ two dog wardens here at Tendring District Council and they can help with most dog related problems for example: dog fouling, stray dogs and also advice on responsible dog ownership.
You can contact the dog warden service on 01255 686766 or via email dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk
Tendring District Council are unable to assist with issues involving dog attacks, we advise contacting the local Police for advice and assistance.
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 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 kennelling 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 £5,000.
What to do if you find a stray dog
Dogs found during office hours, Monday to Thursday 9am to 2pm and Friday 9am to 2pm
If you can safely catch and restrain the dog, check to see if it has any form of identification and if practicable return the dog directly to the owner. If there is no identification or it is not practicable to return, please either use our online form, email dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk or call the Dog Wardens on 01255 686766. The Dog Wardens will then collect the dog as soon as possible.
Dogs found outside of office hours
If you can safely catch and restrain the dog, check to see if it has any form of identification and if practicable return the dog directly to the owner. If there is no identification, and if it is safe to do so, you can take the dog to a veterinary surgery to scan for a microchip. Please be aware veterinary surgeries are not required to kennel the dog.
How to reclaim your Dog
If your dog is seized please call 01255 686766 to arrange collection during office hours Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.45pm. All fees and charges accrued must be paid before the dog is released. (See fees and charges below).
Fees And Charges
Charge for dog if collected by the owner before kennelling.
| Dog wearing a collar and tag | £25.00 |
|---|---|
| Dog without a collar and tag | £50.00 |
Charges for dogs which are collected by the owner after kennelling - 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Number of days or part days | Kennelling Fees | Statutory Charge | Admin Charge | Total to Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £20 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £70 |
2 | £40 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £90 |
3 | £60 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £110 |
4 | £80 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £130 |
5 | £100 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £150 |
6 | £120 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £170 |
7 | £140 | £25.00 | £25.00 | £190 |
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.
What should I do if I can no longer care for my dog?
The Council's arrangements for stray dogs are not a means of disposal for unwanted dogs.
Owners who no longer wish to care for their pet should contact animal welfare charities such as the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust or specialist breed rescues (the Kennel Club provide a breed rescue directory) who may be able to help them to find a new home for their pet. They should never pass the dog off as a stray.
Persons handing over stray dogs will be expected to provide their name and address and anyone discovered to have handed their own animal in as a stray (or conspired with another person to dispose of their unwanted dog) will incur a debtor account for the costs the Council incurs in dealing with the animal. Deception of this kind can also be a criminal offence.
Lost Dogs
If you have lost your dog you can report this to our Dog Wardens. Please give a description of the dog (breed, colour and distinguishing features), whether it has a collar and tag and/or microchip and a picture. Send the details by email to dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk - please be aware this email is only monitored during office hours.
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 pick up a leaflet from council offices receptions or look on our Beaches with Dog Bans page.
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 £75, 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.
To report a dog bin that needs emptying please use our Reporting form which can be filled in and submitted online.
For more information on caring for your Dog go to our Help and Advice page.
Re-homing Dogs
Tendring District Council does not re-home dogs directly to the public. If you are interested in giving a dog a home please contact your nearest re-homing centre.
The Dog Wardens can advise you of who to contact. You can call them on 01255 686766 or email dogwardens@tendringdc.gov.uk.