Dogs
We deal with nuisance dogs, dog fouling, dog control orders and stray dogs.
Stray animals
If you have found a dog or a cat that you think has an owner, check for an ID tag on its collar. They will normally have the name of the animal and the telephone number or address of the owner so you can reunite them with their pet. If you have found a dog you suspect may be a stray (one that does not have an owner) you can take the dog to Battersea Dogs' Home 
. who will help to find it a loving home or alternatively contact Environmental Protection on Telephone: 020 8753 1081 or 020 8748 8588 out of hours
If you have lost your pet, you can call the Lost Dogs & Cats Line, operated by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. They have a database of lost dogs and cats from across London and match them with any dogs and cats that are found and handed in to a local authority. You can contact them on 0901 477 8477. Calls are charged at 60p per minute.
You can also check with The Mayhew Animal Home if they have had any animals handed in. Tel. 020 8969 0178
Report it
Help us keep the borough clean and safe:
Report dog fouling
Report dog fighting or anti-social behaviour
Irresponsible Dog Ownership
We have a new joint project with the police to combat irresponsible dog ownership and dog fighting, called BARK - Borough Action for Responsible K9s. See our leaflet for more information.
Contact us
- To report barking dogs and dog issues on private land email: EnvironmentalProtection@lbhf.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8753 1081 or 020 8748 8588 out of hours
- To report dog fouling on the streets email: StreetSceneEnforcement@lbhf.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8752 1100
- To report all dog issues in parks email: ParksConstabulary@lbhf.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8740 3417
- To report issues in H&F Homes or land please contact the relevant housing officer - see website for details: H&F Homes
- To report dog fighting, dogs used for criminal activity or anti-social behaviour please contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team for your ward (see website for details: Safer Neighbourhood Teams) or ring the Police on 020 8563 1212
- To report animal cruelty or welfare issues please contact the RSPCA - see website for details: http://www.rspca.org.uk (opens new window)
- For advice on animal welfare please contact The Mayhew Animal Home - see website for details: The Mayhew Animal Home
- To report a stray dog please contact Battersea Dogs Home or contact Environmental Protection or telephone: 020 8753 1081 or 020 8748 8588 out of hours
Dog control orders
The following dog control orders took effect in Hammersmith & Fulham on 15 March 2007. Failure to comply with these orders will mean a £75 fine or prosecution.
Fouling of Land by Dogs Order (pdf 30k)
Dogs on Leads by Direction Order (pdf 29k)
Dogs on Leads Order (pdf 37k)
Exclusion of Dogs Order (pdf 39k)
Maximum Number of Dogs Order (pdf 29k)
The Control of Dogs Order (1992)
All dogs must wear a collar and an identity tag in a public place. The identity tag must show the name and address of the owner. Failure to do this could lead to a £5,000 fine. Your dog must still wear an identity tag even if it is micochipped. Dogs not wearing a collar or tag can be seized, even if the owner is present.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, as amended 1997, prohibits people from having in their possession dogs belonging to types bred for fighting (Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentiono, Fila Braziliero); imposes restrictions in respect of such dogs; enables restrictions to be imposed in relation to other types of dog which present a serious danger to the public; makes further provision for securing that dogs are kept under proper control. For more info download a pdf from Defra: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/ddogsleaflet.pdf .
Animal Welfare Act 2006
Under this Act you commit an offence if you cause or take part (are present) in an animal fight. This can lead to imprisonment and a fine up to £20,000. The Act provides protection for animals. You must tend to the needs of an animal for which you are responsible to the extent required by good practice. You commit an offence if you cause an animal to suffer. The Act provides for certain specific enforcement powers for the police and inspectors including the power of entry, inspection and search and the power to seize documents.
Environmental Protection Act (1990)
If a dog barks excessively (so as to be a statutory nuisance in law) the dog owner can be served with a legal enforcement notice requiring abatement of the noise. If the notice is not complied with the council can prosecute the owner and/or confiscate the dog. We have the power to seize stray dogs and put them in kennels. You will have to pay a charge to have the dog returned. This may include kennel costs, detention costs and a prescribed amount (currently £25). If you do not claim the dog within seven days of us seizing it, it becomes our property. We can give the dog a new home or destroy it. Under this Act we must keep a register of dogs seized or brought to us.
Pet care
We work with The Mayhew Animal Home , who can help with your animal welfare enquiries. Please contact them for help with pet care, adopting an animal or for friendly advice. The Mayhew Animal Home also provides free neutering for Staffordshire Bull Terriers (‘Staffies’), Staffy crosses and other bull breeds and low-cost neutering for all other dog breeds, as well as low-cost vaccinations and micro-chipping. To contact the centre call 020 8969 0178 or email info@mayhewanimalhome.org.
