FOI 440/25

 

REQUEST

 

1 what training Officers have received on the recognition of dangerous dog breeds and the differences between them and other sometime similar looking breeds

2 is this training mandated and what is the take up by area.

3 what reference materials Officers have available at Station and for them personally to carry with them

4 what guidelines and any training have been issued to triage public information given about the existence of dangerous dog breeds

5 what guidance and limits are set for the volume of officers attending a seizure of a dog

6 if South Wales Police is within its half year and yearly finacial standards if they exist for deployment to dog seizures specifically and to deployment overall

7 what the average salary and overtime figures pa would be for a police officer suitable for attending a dog seizure

8 a copy of the latest senior officers presentation or speech given publicly on the state priorities and finances of SW Police

 

Clarification on Question 6: Are you within or exceeding you half year and year budgets or spend estimates for dangerous dog activities.

 

 

RESPONSE

 

We consulted with our Specialist Operations Department who have provided the following information in relation to your request.

 

Question 1

 

Student officers are taught the basics on dealing with a dangerous dog incident, our dangerous dog force policy which includes the BCU OIC responsibilities (including case file building) and the responsibilities of the Dog Legislation Officer (DLO). Student officers are also taught the legislation and shown images of banned breeds, however they are not experts in identifying dangerous dogs as this is a specialist role – they are only taught the basics of provisionally identifying a dog which might be a banned breed. It is the responsibility of the DLO to formally identify a prohibited dog.

 

Question 2

 

The training provided in IPLAU is mandated by the College of Policing National Curriculum. It is delivered to all student officers during their initial training phase. It is not mandated and as such we do not report on any figures per area.

 

Question 3

 

Books, internet, assessment forms, conformation standards.

Question 4

 

Officers will respond accordingly to reports of dangerous dog breeds or incidents reported from members of the public and work in partnership with local authorities. Details of such are often published on the force intranet.

 

Question 5

 

There are no set limits or guidance on the number of officers attending dangerous dogs’ calls. We have to take into account the fact we may be faced with aggressive dogs and/or owners.

 

Question 6

 

Yes, spend estimates on activities connected with dangerous dogs are exceeding expectations.

 

Question 7

 

The average hourly rate of a PC with on-costs in Financial Year 2024-25 is £26.25 per hour.

 

Question 8

 

As this is available in the public domain, we are therefore not obliged to provide this information as the following exemption applies:

 

Section 21 – Information Accessible by Other Means.

 

This is an absolute, class-based exemption which means that a public authority is not required to consider the public interest in disclosure.

 

Under Section 16, the duty to provide advice and assistance, please see the links below which have been published in order to inform the public about changes to dog legislation

 

Responsible dog ownership and dangerous dogs | South Wales Police

 

Banned dogs | South Wales Police

 

XL Bully dogs legislation, one year on | South Wales Police