Pet Ownership
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Communities HEM07.1 Pet Ownership Guidance for North Kesteven District Council tenants (This policy conforms to the RSPCA Bronze Footprint Standard) This document is available in large print, Braille, audio tape, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language. For a copy please contact Community Services at the Council using the following options: Phone: 01529 414155 (main switchboard) or 01522 699699 (if calling from a Lincoln number) Minicom: 01529 308088 Fax: 01529 413956 Web: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Email: [email protected] Community Services North Kesteven District Council Kesteven Street Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7EF 2 Pet Ownership Introduction North Kesteven District Council’s policy on pet ownership says: 'The Authority recognises the benefits that responsible pet ownership can bring. However, controls must be in place to prevent irresponsible pet ownership which can cause suffering to animals and a nuisance to neighbours.' This leaflet gives information to tenants who have either just moved into their council property or have lived there for some time with a pet or are now thinking about getting a pet. It will also be helpful for tenants who are having problems with a neighbour’s pet. These are the areas covered in this leaflet: • North Kesteven District Council’s policy on giving permission. • Applying to keep a pet. • Pets and the Law. • What your tenancy agreement says about pets. • Responsible pet ownership. • What the Council considers as nuisance behaviour by a pet. • What to do if you are having problems with a neighbour’s pet. • What action the Council can take concerning nuisance pets. • What action to take if you suspect cruelty or neglect. • Useful contacts for advice and assistance. Please note you are responsible for your pets at all times. Pet Ownership 3 The Council’s policy on giving permission You will be need to complete a Pet Agreement for pets Form that will ask you to: North Kesteven District Council will give • Provide details of the pet. permission in most cases. However, certain • Agree to be fully responsible for it. types of pet are not permitted, including: • Make sure it does not cause a nuisance to • Farm animals - for example, sheep, goats, neighbours. pigs, cattle, and horses. • Animals that should be licensed under Pets and the Law the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 - a list of animals requiring a license under the There are many laws on keeping animals. Act can be found on the Department for Some are specific to certain exotic species, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ some are concerned with dogs, and others (DEFRA) website, www.defra.gov.uk relate to animals generally. Below are some of the most common laws. For more advice and • Breed of dogs specified in the information please contact your local Citizens Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - in 2006 the Pit Advice Bureau or Legal Advice Centre. Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero and Japanese Tosa were included in this Animal Welfare Act 2006 – Sections 4 and 9 Act. Up to date information can be found on the DEFRA, https://www.gov.uk/government/ Unnecessary suffering organisations/department-for-environment- food-rural-affairs A person commits an offence if an act of his, or Permission may not be granted where there is a failure of his to act, causes an animal to suffer. an ongoing problem with pet ownership in the household or there has been a problem in the Duty of person responsible for animal to past. ensure welfare Applying to keep a pet A person commits an offence if he does not We do not expect you to apply for permission take such steps as are reasonable in to keep fish, small rodents or insects. However, all the circumstances to ensure that the needs you do need permission for most types of pets, of an animal for which he is responsible are including cats, dogs, reptiles, chickens, ducks met to the extent required by good practice. or aviary birds. If you are in doubt, please ask your housing officer. 4 Pet Ownership Animals Act 1971 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 If a dog worries livestock then it may be shot and the owner face criminal prosecution. It is This Act allows the Council to designate public the duty of owners to ensure that animals do areas where dogs must be kept on leads or not stray onto the road and cause injury or excluded. It also gives the local authority damage. The Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it powers to enforce dog fouling byelaws on an offence to have a dog without a lead on public land. It is no defence for the owner to certain designated roads. say they were unaware of the dog’s actions and the owner may be prosecuted or fined. Dogs Act 1871 What your tenancy agreement says Courts can order that a dangerous dog be about pets: destroyed or the owner keep it under proper control. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 • Not all our properties are suitable for demands that owners of Pit Bull Terriers, Dogo keeping cats or dogs. Your tenancy Argentinos, Fila Brazilieros and Japanese agreement will say whether your home is Tosas comply with certain legal requirements. suitable, or not. Guide dogs and hearing In addition, any dog dangerously out of control dogs are excluded from the “no dogs” in a public place may be destroyed and the clause. owner possibly given a six-month prison • Keeping up to two dogs and up to two cats sentence or a maximum £5,000 fine. is acceptable without our permission. (However, new tenants will be required to Control of Dogs Order 1992 sign the Pet Agreement Form). Every dog, while in a public place, must wear a • If you keep a dog, you must ensure your collar displaying the owner’s name and garden is properly fenced and kept clean. address. • If your pet causes a nuisance or annoyance to your neighbours, we may withdraw Environmental Protection Act 1990 permission to keep it. This gives the local authority the power to seize a stray dog and to hold it for seven days. After seven days the dog can be found another home, sold or destroyed. Pet Ownership 5 Responsible pet ownership Before deciding to keep a pet, you may want to ask yourself the following questions: • Does the pet fit your lifestyle and family • Are you planning to circumstances? Are you out a lot of the have your dog or cat time or do you have young children in the neutered? Animal household? charities encourage this to reduce the • Is your home suitable? Do you have easy number of unwanted access to garden areas, are you near a pets. Small rodents, busy road, and is a flat suitable for the type such as hamsters, can of pet you want to keep? have 14 - 20 babies in a litter • How much is it going cost? You can so you can have a population explosion on budget for some items, such as the initial your hands if you don't keep males and cost of the pet and equipment, and also females apart. ongoing costs, including food and bedding. • Is your choice of pet likely to cause a • Can you afford unexpected costs, such nuisance to neighbours? Most of us want as vets bills? to get on with our neighbours - it may be worth having a chat with them before you • Are you going to insure and/or microchip make a final decision. your pet? Both are advisable do cost money. • Are you committed to caring for your pet? Often it is not the type of pet that will cause • What will happen to the pet if you are a nuisance to neighbours, but the way you away from home, for example, on plan to care for and control it. With regards holiday? to dogs, they cannot be: • Health issues - where is the nearest vet - Allowed to roam freely on communal who can care for your animal? This is areas - they must be walked on a lead. particularly important if you have a more unusual or exotic pet. Also, will the pet need - Left barking in the house or garden all day regular vaccinations? causing a noise nuisance problem. You need to think through these issues before taking on an animal. 6 Pet Ownership What the Council considers nuisance What to do if you are having problems behaviour by a pet with a neighbour’s pet Below are examples of behaviour the Council If you feel you can, approach the owner and see regards as nuisance: if you can sort out the matter informally. Here are some tips: • Roaming and unattended animals. • Pets fouling in communal areas and owners’ • Take early action - don't wait until the gardens that is not cleared up immediately. situation is unbearable and your patience has been exhausted before approaching the • Pets fouling in neighbours’ gardens. owner. • Excessive noise. • Try not to jump to conclusions - listen to the • Too many animals within a household. other person's response and don't make unfounded allegations. • Unpleasant pet smells. • Try to remain calm - do not shout or make • Aggressive animals. abusive remarks and do not retaliate. Remember you are responsible for your pet and • Walk away if you feel at risk or threatened. their behaviour at all times. If your pet is causing a problem to a neighbour the most helpful thing If you are not confident about approaching the you can do is to try and see things from their owner then speak to your housing officer. In point of view.