Band breed dogs seized/destroyed

Freedom of information request reference no: 186/25

REQUEST

1. Since 31st December 2023, how many dogs have you seized for being a suspected banned breed type?.

2. How many banned breed types, have died whilst being held in police approved kennels, since December 31st 2023?

3. How many banned breed types, have been destroyed at the scene of an incident by your firearms officers since December 31st 2023?

4. The cost of policing dangerous dog incidents, has said to have risen since 31st December 2023. The interim exemption scheme is available to all forces, would this be something you would consider implementing to reduce those associated costs?

RESPONSE

Question 1

A search has been completed using the Centrik system for all dogs seized under S1 Dangerous Dogs Act, this search retrieved 107 results.

Question 2

We have consulted with our Dog Section who have confirmed that no banned breed types have died in police approved kennels since 31^st December 2023.

Question 3

We have consulted with our Joint Firearms Unit who have confirmed that no banned breeds have been destroyed by firearms officers at the scene of an incident since the 31^st December 2023.

Question 4

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 creates a statutory right of access to recorded information held by public authorities. When processing requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act, public authorities have two duties to consider. Section 1(1)(a) is the duty to confirm or deny that the requested information is held, and section 1(1)(b) is to the duty to communicate the requested information to the applicant.

Section 8 of the Act is also relevant here, as it outlines the criteria which need to be fulfilled in order for a request to be deemed ‘valid’ and therefore suitable for processing under the Act.

Section 8(1) of the Act provides:

(1) In this Act any reference to a “request for information” is a reference to such a request which:

(a) is in writing,

(b) states the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence,

(c) describes the information requested.

Section 8 of the Act clarifies that ‘information’ means ‘information recorded in any form’.

As this question is not asking for ‘information’ as defined in the Act, this part of your request cannot be dealt with under its provisions.