Dog Warden Service

Information on the Dog Warden Service

The Council has a duty to deal with stray dogs. Environmental Health Technicians regularly patrol all parts of West Dunbartonshire to control stray dogs. If the dog owner cannot be identified, the dog is transported to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) operated Animal welfare Centre at Milton.

If a dog is not claimed, it is detained for a period of seven days after which time the SSPCA endeavour to re-home the dogs.

Barking dogs

It is normal for dogs to bark and you cannot expect a neighbour's dog to always be silent. If the noise is so loud, frequent and prolonged as to interfere with your normal activities as an occupier, it is reasonable to expect the dog owner to take steps to address excessive barking.

If you are concerned about a dog's barking, we suggest that in the first instance that you raise the problem with your neighbour in conversation. Explain how the barking affects you and ask your neighbour if they will attempt to tackle the problem, often dog owners will not realise that their dog is causing a disturbance. 

What if I am unable to speak to the dog owner?

We recommend that you put your concerns down in writing to your neighbour in polite terms, again pointing out that the barking is causing annoyance and requesting that they take action to solve the problem.

What if the barking persists?

You should allow adequate time for your neighbour to consider your request and take appropriate action. Copies of correspondence should be kept for future reference.

If they do nothing about the problem, you can apply to your local Justice of the Peace Court for an order to be made. Which would require the owner of the dog to take steps to prevent/stop the barking. Please access our guidance on Dangerous and Annoying Creatures.

Out of Control Dogs

Dog owners have a legal requirement to keep their animals under control and there are sanctions available to authorities in dealing with out of control dogs.

Please note that any incidents involving a dog biting attack or serious injury on a person or another animal should be referred to Police Scotland for initial investigation. West Dunbartonshire Council will consider other incidents involving a dog being out of control which gives rise to reasonable alarm or apprehension for the safety of a person or another animal. For further information see below

Do dogs have to be kept on a lead?

The law says that dogs must be kept under close control, but does not state dogs must be kept on lead. If a dog responds to the owners commands and is kept close to heel, can lie down or returns on command, the dog would be considered to be under close control. If you're not sure that your dog can do this the responsible thing is to keep them on a lead.

'Out of Control'

Any dog, regardless of its breed, can cause fear and alarm, or even serious injury, if its behaviour is 'out of control'. This does not necessarily mean that the dog has acted in an aggressive manner. However, the legislation relates to when a dog's behaviour give rise to alarm, or apprehensiveness, which are reasonable in the circumstances.

Dealing with out of control dogs

The local authority can investigate concerns brought to our attention if we have the following information.

• Details of when the incident took place, date and time.
• Details of the dog(s) owner, - address, name (if possible).
• Details of dog(s) involved in incident.