Dog Warden Services Herefordshire
Case reference FOI2026/01873
Received 5 August 2026
Published 3 September 2026
Request
Freedom of Information Request regarding Animal Services.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to make the following request for information relating to the animal services provided by your local authority.
Dog Warden Service
1. Does the local authority employ a dog warden or outsource the role? If the role is outsourced, who is responsible?
2. What has been the local authority’s annual spend on the dog warden service for the last three years? Either for inhouse or outsourcing the role.
2023 2024 2025
Dog bites on authority workers
1. Does the local authority have a documented standard operating procedure or policy regarding dog safety for workers visiting private property in the course of their employment?
• Please include both workers employed directly by the local authority and workers contracted to work on the authority’s behalf, for e.g. including, but not limited to, refuse collectors, social workers, housing officers etc.
2. How many instances of dog bites were reported to RIDDOR (https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/) in the last three years by the local authority?
• Please indicate whether your available data separates workers from members of the public. If it does, please supply the two figures separately.
2023 2024 2025
Response
Freedom of Information Request regarding Animal Services.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to make the following request for information relating to the animal services provided by your local authority.
Dog Warden Service
1. Does the local authority employ a dog warden or outsource the role? If the role is outsourced, who is responsible?
Answer: The Service Area have advised the role of dog warden is not outsourced; it forms part of a Trading Standards Practitioner role.
2. What has been the local authority’s annual spend on the dog warden service for the last three years? Either for inhouse or outsourcing the role.
2023 2024 2025
Answer: Please see the table below. Please be advised this information is recorded in financial years:
2023/24 £6,093.00
2024/25 £7,065.00
2025/26 £4,070.00
Dog bites on authority workers
1. Does the local authority have a documented standard operating procedure or policy regarding dog safety for workers visiting private property in the course of their employment?
• Please include both workers employed directly by the local authority and workers contracted to work on the authority’s behalf, for e.g. including, but not limited to, refuse collectors, social workers, housing officers etc.
Answer: No. The Service Area have advised the Council does not operate a single standalone dog safety procedure applicable to all services. Risks associated with dogs and other animals are considered as part of each service area's risk assessment process.
Service Managers are responsible for undertaking and reviewing risk assessments for activities carried out by their staff, including visits to private properties where employees may encounter dogs or other animals. Where such risks are identified, appropriate control measures are implemented and monitored by the relevant service area. Risk assessments are subject to review and receive support and guidance from the Health and Safety Team.
In addition, some services utilise electronic case management systems that contain warning markers or alerts to inform staff of known hazards at particular premises, including the presence of dogs or other animals. These alerts assist staff in planning visits and taking appropriate precautions.
These arrangements apply to Council employees and agency workers undertaking work-related visits. Contractors are expected to undertake their own risk assessments and implement suitable controls in accordance with their contractual and health and safety obligations.
2. How many instances of dog bites were reported to RIDDOR (https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/) in the last three years by the local authority?
Answer: Please see the table below:
2023 0
2024 0
2025 0
• Please indicate whether your available data separates workers from members of the public. If it does, please supply the two figures separately.
2023 2024 2025
Answer: N/A
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.