The aim of the Dog Warden Service is to promote responsible dog ownership and to enforce applicable dog control legislation.  Our Dog Wardens can provide advice on a range of issues including the licensing of dog breeders and boarders, neighbourhood nuisance arising from the keeping of dogs, the arrangements for dealing with stray dogs and the enforcement of the Council’s Dog Control Orders.  We have two dedicated Officers who also undertake Animal Welfare duties.  

The Council recognises that a dog that is well loved and cared for and properly trained can provide much pleasure and quality companionship but of course dog owners also have responsibilities to take care of their pets and to have regard to the rights of their neighbours.  The Animal Welfare Act 2006 introduced a specific duty on those responsible for animals to take reasonable steps to meet their welfare needs.  Unfortunately, some dog owners can be irresponsible and may allow their pets to cause a nuisance through, for instance, constant barking or by allowing them to foul in public places without clearing up after them.  Such behaviour is unnecessary and unpleasant; incessant barking can interfere with the rights of others and dog fouling is costly to clean and can be harmful, especially to children.

Much publicity is directed at the problems encountered with dangerous and ferocious dogs and the Council supports the advice issued by defra which can be viewed by following the link on the right hand side of this page.  The Council is committed to ensuring that the problems associated with irresponsible dog ownership are minimised and will work with the public and the police to protect and enhance the local environment.

The Local Authority will:

• Carry out regular inspections of boarding kennels and catteries, breeding kennels and pet shops, for the purpose of licensing.
• Promote responsible dog ownership.
• Offer advice on the behavioural problems of pets.
• Promote the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme and local dog training clubs.
• Provide school campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership.
• Re-unite lost dogs with their owners where possible.
• Assist in re-homing unwanted dogs.
• Offer free poop scoops to the public at various outlets.
• Offer free A to Z Fido Facts booklets.
• Deal with stray dogs reported to it during normal working hours.
• Provide a reception point for stray dogs out of normal office hours.
• Collect the statutory charge and kennelling fees from owners reclaiming stray dogs.

The Local Authority will investigate allegations of offences involving dog controls and, where the evidence supports it, will take enforcement action against:

• Any person in charge of a dog and who fails to clear up after it has fouled on land specified in the Fouling of Land by Dogs (Huntingdonshire) Order 2007.
• Any person in charge of a dog who fails to keep the dog on a lead on land specified in the Dogs on Leads (Huntingdonshire) Order 2007.
• Any person in charge of a dog who permits the dog to enter or remain on any land specified in the Dogs Exclusion (Huntingdonshire) Order 2007.
• Any person whose dog causes a statutory noise nuisance.
• Any person who fails to have collar and ID tags on his/her dog.
• Any person who fails to comply with licence requirements related to dog breeding or dog boarding.
• Any person contravening any other relevant legal provision.

Please note that fines imposed in some cases can have a maximum of £5000.

Stray dogs
For detailed information on stray dogs, please see separate page listed in the box on the left.

Lost dogs
Lost dogs can be reported to the Dog Warden Service, to Wood Green Animal Shelter or to Huntingdon Police Station at night or at weekends.