2025/29009 - Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – Sections 1 & 3 Seizure, Incident and Enforcement Data

REQUEST

 

I am requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to your enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Sections 1 and 3).

 

Please provide data held by your force for the period 1 January 2020 to the present date, covering the following:

 

Dog Seizures

• The total number of dogs seized under:

1. a) Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
2. b) Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 Please provide totals for each calendar year.

 

Incident Reports

• The total number of incidents recorded or reported under Section 3 of the Act (i.e. dogs dangerously out of control) for the same period.

 

Public Reports

• The total number of reports or complaints received from members of the public alleging a dog to be of a prohibited type under Section 1 for the same period.

 

Current Custody Data (2025)

• The total number of dogs currently held in police kennels under (a) Section 1 and under (b) Section 3.
• What is the maximum capacity of kennel space for your force and does you force operate the IES - if so, how many S1 dogs are currently under this scheme

 

Breed or Type Breakdown

• Where recorded, a breakdown of the breeds or types of dogs seized under Section 3 since 1 January 2020.

 

Kennelling Costs

• The average daily cost to kennel and care for a seized dog.
• Whether these costs differ depending on whether a dog is seized under Section 1 or Section 3.

 

Dog Legislation Officers (DLOs)

• Whether the force employs or assigns a dedicated Dog Legislation Officer (DLO) or equivalent role responsible for cases under either (a) Section 1 and/or (b) Section 3. Or will a DLO cover both?
• If applicable, the number of DLOs currently employed or assigned within your force.

 

Kennelling Arrangements

• Please confirm whether seized dogs are:

1. a) Held in police-operated facilities, or
2. b) Housed with contracted third-party kennels, rescues, or welfare organisations.

Please advise the total number of spaces for a and b.

 

If any of the requested data are not held centrally, please confirm this and provide the information that is held.

 

If this request exceeds the cost limit, please advise how it could be refined to stay within the limit.

 

I am happy to accept the information in any readily available format, such as an existing table, spreadsheet, or summary report.

 

If figures are only available for part of the date range or grouped by financial year instead of calendar year, please provide them in that form.

 

I do not require individual case files or personal data — only aggregated totals or statistics as already held by the force.

 

 

CLARIFICATION TO REQUESTER

Are you seeking (when you say reports/complaints) - reports by members of the public/complaints about a dog - i.e. calls for service.

 

 Or,

 

 Complaints about how police have handled these matters?

 

CLARIFICATION FROM REQUESTER

In response to your query - I am wanting the number of reports/complaints from members of the public

 

 

RESPONSE