Information
FOI Request 25032026-1 – Dangerous Dogs Act Expenditure and Oversight
Request
“Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025, or the most recent period available. If providing this information for the full period would exceed the cost limit, please provide the most recent 3-year period instead.
- Expenditure
- a) The total annual expenditure relating to dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, including:
- kennelling costs
- veterinary costs
- transportation
- and any associated care costs
- b) Any available breakdown of these costs by category
- Kennelling Contracts and Provision
- a) Details of any contracts, agreements, or commissioned services for the kennelling of dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act
- b) The names of providers (where disclosable) and the nature of services provided
- c) Any information held regarding capacity, demand, or pressure on kennelling provision
- Policy, Oversight, and Strategy
- a) Copies of any Police and Crime Plan sections, policy documents, or strategy papers relating to dangerous dogs or dog-related incidents
- b) Copies of any internal briefings, reports, or reviews relating to:
- enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act
- costs associated with seized dogs
- welfare or kennelling concerns
- or operational pressures
- Scrutiny and Governance
- a) Copies of any meeting minutes, reports, or correspondence where dangerous dogs legislation, seized dogs, or associated costs have been discussed
- b) Any correspondence between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the police force relating to:
- costs
- policy concerns
- or enforcement practices under the Dangerous Dogs Act”
I have reviewed the information held by the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and can confirm that the OPFCC does hold some of the information requested.
The allocated budget for dangerous dogs costs in 2026/27 has increased to £200,000. However, it is important to understand that The OPFCC and Northamptonshire Police are two separate legal entities. Information regarding operational policing matters, such as handling dangerous dogs, kennelling contracts and provision is the responsibility of Northamptonshire Police, therefore the OPFCC does not hold any of the information you have requested.
In relation to question 3, there is no specific mention of dangerous dogs within the Safe and Sound. the Commissioner’s Public Safety Plan for Northamptonshire 2025-30 and the OPFCC does not hold any information relating internal briefings, reports, or reviews relating to:
- enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act
- costs associated with seized dogs
- welfare or kennelling concerns
- or operational pressures
Finally, regarding question 4, the OPFCC does not hold any information.
Northamptonshire Police’s Information Unit may hold some of the information you are seeking. If you have not already done so, then you may wish to write to their Freedom of Information and Data Protection Team, Information Unit, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall, Northampton, NN4 0JQ / [email protected]
