Dogs
Find out how we can help with stray dogs, and the rules dog owners have to follow when out and about.
If you have lost a dog
Call our contact centre to report that your dog has been lost. We will take your dog's details in case someone finds them and report them to us.
We’ll also contact our kennels to see if your dog has already been found.
Our stray dog register has details of the strays found in our area.
The dog warden service is available during our office hours – 8:45am to 5:15pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 11am to 5:15pm on Wednesday and 8:45am to 4:45pm on Fridays.
Phone 01903 737755
If your dog is in our kennels or has been picked up by the warden, they will not be released without paying a kennel fee.
If you find a stray dog
If you have found a stray dog, you should always try to locate its owner yourself before contacting us.
If you cannot find or contact the owner, you can call our dog warden who will come and collect the stray.
The dog warden service is available during our office hours.
Phone 01903 737755
During weekends the dog warden will be available to collect strays during the day.
Phone 01903 737500
The stray dog will be taken to kennels to be looked after until the owner can be found.
Please note our dog warden only provides a stray collection service.
Dog poo and dog waste bins
We have 468 dog waste bins around the district. Please bag and bin your dog's poo, or you could receive a fine.
If you find a bin that is full or overflowing, you can report it to us online:
If you find dog poo that needs cleaning up, you can also report this:
Rules for dogs in public places
We have rules for dogs in public spaces to protect the health and safety of everyone. This is known as the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Dog Controls.
If you're responsible for a dog, you must:
- pick up dog poo left by your dog in any public space
- keep your dog under close control
- keep your dog on a lead in all churchyards, cemeteries and anywhere signage says dogs must be on a lead
- not allow them to enter any children's play area or sport facility
- obey all signs that ban dogs from certain areas
Read the full signed and sealed Public Space Protection Order for dogs - sealed 5 October 2023[pdf] 4MB, or you can read the text of the orders below.
The fouling of land by dogs
THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME & POLICING ACT 2014
ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDER 2023
The Fouling of Land by Dogs
Arun District Council hereby makes the following Order:
This Order comes into force on 6 November 2023 for a period of up to 3 years and may be extended, varied or discharged during this 3 year period
THE FOULING OF LAND BY DOGS
This Order applies to the land specified in Schedule 1.
Offence
1) If a dog defecates at any time on land to which this Order applies and a person who is in charge of the dog at that time fails to remove the faeces from the land forthwith, that person shall be guilty of an offence unless -
a) he has a reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or
b) the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his failing to do so.
2) Nothing in this Order applies to a person who –
a) is registered as a blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948; or
b) who has a disability and is in charge of an Assistance dog.
3) For the purposes of this Order –
a) a person who habitually has a dog in his possession shall be taken to be in charge of the dog at any time unless at that time some other person is in charge of the dog;
b) placing the faeces in a receptacle on the land which is provided for the purpose, or for the disposal of waste, shall be a sufficient removal from the land;
c) being unaware of the defecation (whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise), or not having a device for or other suitable means of removing the faeces shall not be a reasonable excuse for failing to remove the faeces;
d) the expression 'disability' shall have the meaning prescribed in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010 or as may be defined in any subsequent amendment or re-enactment of that legislation
e) The term 'Assistance Dog' shall mean a dog which has been trained to assist a person with a disability.
Penalty
4) A person who is guilty of an offence under section 67(1) of the Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
5) An authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 67(1) of the Act in relation to the Order
THE COMMON SEAL OF THE ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL
Hereunto affixed in the presence of: [signature]
Authorised signature: Sofina Ahmed, solicitor
Seal Book No: 122/2023
Dated 5 October 2023
SCHEDULE 1
This Order applies to any land which is:-
(i) open to the air (which includes land that is covered but open to the air on at least one side)
and
(ii) to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access (with or without payment) within the Arun District
The following land is exempted from the Order:
a) Land used for agriculture or land used for forestry.
The dogs on lead by direction
THE ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME & POLICING ACT 2014
ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLIC
SPACE PROTECTION ORDER 2023
The Dogs on Leads by Direction
Arun District Council hereby makes the following Order:
This Order comes into force on 6 November 2023 for a period of up to 3 years and may be extended, varied or discharged during this 3 year period.
1. DOGS ON LEAD BY DIRECTION
This Order applies to the land specified in Schedule 2.
In this Order "an authorised officer of the Authority" means a person who is authorised in writing by the Authority for the purpose of giving directions under this Order.
Offence
1) A person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if, at any time, on any land to which this Order applies a person does not when asked by an authorized Officer, does not put and keep his or her dog on a lead.
2) For the purposes of this Order;
a) a person who habitually has a dog in his possession shall be taken to be in charge of the dog at any time unless at that time some other person is in charge of the dog;
b) an authorised officer of the Authority may only give a direction under this Order to put and keep a dog on a lead if such restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person on any land to which this Order applies or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
Penalty
3) A person who is guilty of an offence under section 67(1) of the Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
4) An authorized person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 67(1) of the Act in relation to the Order
THE COMMON SEAL OF THE ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL
Hereunto affixed in the presence of: [signature]
Authorised signature: Sofina Ahmed, solicitor
Seal Book No: 122/2023
Dated 5 October 2023
SCHEDULE 2
This Order applies to any land which is:-
(i) open to the air (which includes land that is covered but open to the air on at least one side)
and
(ii) to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access (with or without payment) within the Arun District
The following land is exempted from the Order:
(a) Land used for agriculture or land used for forestry.
The dogs exclusion
THE ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME & POLICING ACT 2014
ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLIC
SPACE PROTECTION ORDER 2023
The Dogs Exclusion
Arun District Council hereby makes the following Order:
This Order comes into force on 06 November 2023 for a period of up to 3 years and may be extended, varied or discharged during this 3 year period
1. DOGS EXCLUSION
This Order applies to the land specified in Schedule 3.
Offence
1) A person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if, at any time, he takes the dog onto, or permits the dog to enter or to remain on, any land to which this Order applies unless -
a) He has a reasonable excuse for doing so; or
b) The owner, occupier of other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his doing so.
2) Nothing in this Order applies to a person who -
a) Is registered as blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948; or
b) who has a disability and is in charge of an Assistance dog
3) For the purposes of this Order -
a) A person who habitually has a dog in his possession shall be taken to be in charge of the dog at any time unless at that time some other person is in charge of the dog; and
b) the expression 'disability' shall have the meaning prescribed in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010 or as may be defined in any subsequent amendment or re-enactment of that
c) The term 'Assistance Dog' shall mean a dog which has been trained to assist a person with a disability.
Penalty
4) A person who is guilty of an offence under section 67(1) of the Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
5) An authorized person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence under section (1) of the Act in relation to the Order
THE COMMON SEAL OF THE ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL
Hereunto affixed in the presence of: [signature]
Authorised signature: Sofina Ahmed, solicitor
Seal Book No: 122/2023
Dated 5 October 2023
Schedule 3
Children's play areas (fenced and unfenced), designated picnic areas, water bodies within parks and open spaces (fenced and unfenced), tennis courts, putting greens, pitch and putt courses, adventure/crazy golf courses, bowls greens, BMX tracks, skate parks and games courts, together with the following sites:
Hotham Park, Bognor Regis - fenced wildlife conservation area
Littlehampton Miniature Railway between Norfolk Gardens and Mewsbrook Park, Littlehampton
And between 1st May and 30th September, the following beaches;
Canning Road (SZ 94979930) to Felpham Sailing Club (SZ 95129400), Felpham East Pier to Norfolk Road (TQ 03530135), Littlehampton
The dogs on leads
THE ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME & POLICING ACT 2014
ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLIC
SPACE PROTECTION ORDER 2023
The Dogs on Leads
Arun District Council hereby makes the following Order:
This Order comes into force on 06 November 2023 for a period of up to 3 years and may be extended, varied or discharged during this 3 year period
1. DOGS ON LEADS
This Order applies to the land specified in Schedule 4.
Offence
1) A person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if, at any time, on any land to which this Order applies he does not keep the dog on a short lead on land specified in Part I of Schedule 4 and does not keep the dog on a lead on land specified in Part 11 of Schedule 4 unless -
a) He has a reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or
b) The owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his failing to do so.
2)
a) For the purposes of this article, a person who habitually has a dog in his possession shall be taken to be in charge of the dog at any time unless at that time some other person is in charge of the dog
b) a short lead shall be taken to be a lead no longer than two metres in length and enables the person in charge of the dog to maintain control of the dog.
Penalty
3) A person who is guilty of an offence under section 67(1) of the Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
4) An authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 67(1) of the Act in relation to the Order
THE COMMON SEAL OF THE ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL
Hereunto affixed in the presence of: [signature]
Authorised signature: Sofina Ahmed, solicitor
Seal Book No: 122/2023
Dated 5 October 2023
SCHEDULE 4
Part I
Cemeteries and churchyards within the Arun District
Part II
Steyne Gardens, Bognor Regis
Jubilee Gardens, Arundel
Maltravers Leisure Gardens, Littlehampton
Marina Gardens, Littlehampton
Marine Park Gardens, Bognor Regis
Norfolk Leisure Gardens, Littlehampton
Jubilee Field, Bersted
Top Road Playing Field, Slindon
Felpham Beach Hut Greenswards (East and West),Felpham
The Boardwalk, West Beach, Climping
The Spinney, North Bersted
Hotham Park, Bogner Regis - fenced boating lake area
Public Water play areas (fenced and unfenced) including Place St Maur, Bognar Regis
Hotham Park Discovery Garden
West Beach Board Walk
And between 1st May and 30th September each year, the following promenades:
Bognor Regis Sailing Club Ramp (SZ 92869866) to Gloucester Road (SZ 94149900), Bognor Regis
Canning Road to barrier 370 yards east of Blakes Road, Felpham
Arun Parade to Norfolk Road, Littlehampton.
If you’re caught breaking these rules you will receive a £100 fine, or if taken to court a fine of up to £1,000.
The law says your dog must be microchipped. They must also wear a collar or harness tag with your contact details on when outside the house.
Failure to follow the law not only risks prosecution but will also make it harder to get your dog back to you if it’s lost.
Out-of-control dogs and dog attacks
We cannot investigate reports of dangerous or out-of-control dogs.
If a dog has attacked a person, you should report this to the police.
If your dog has been attacked by another dog, this can be dealt with as a civil matter between you and the owner.
We recommend reading the following documents:
What to do if your dog is attacked
Dog on dog incident witness form [doc] 58KB
Information about the ban on XL Bully dogs
Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The government has published information: Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This includes the following timeline
- From 31 December 2023, owners must keep XL bully dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public. It will also be an offence to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon, or allow XL Bully dogs to stray.
- From 31 January 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless it is registered on the Index of Exempted dogs and is compliant with the requirements.
- If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024.
- If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024.
Dog barking
Every year, we receive on average almost 140 complaints about dogs barking.
Barking is normal behaviour for dogs and some breeds may bark more than others. Excessive barking, whining or howling can, however, impact people’s right to enjoy reasonable peace and quiet in their property. Dog barking can be unpredictable and it is often uncontrolled.
Why dogs bark
Barking often occurs when the owner is not at home, therefore they may not be aware that their pet is causing a disturbance to neighbours. Dogs need to feel secure; some dogs may therefore become stressed when they are left alone. Other triggers for barking include:
- boredom
- frustration
- guarding/protection
- excitement
When does dog barking become a nuisance?
A dog barking from time to time is unlikely to be considered unreasonable. If a dog barks for prolonged periods of time, at unreasonable times of day or night or if the barking is frequent or excessive, the disturbances could be considered to be a statutory nuisance.
How to control dog barking
Dog owners must ensure that barking is not occurring unreasonably. The dog may need to engage in a training programme or work with an accredited behaviourist. If the dog is lonely, leaving a radio playing quietly may allow the dog to feel that it is not on its own. If the dog is left for long periods, consider asking a friend or relative to visit the dog. There are also professional dog sitting and dog walking services available.
The Blue Cross has advice and information about ways to control dog barking.
Animal Welfare
Please contact the RSPCA if you are concerned about the welfare of the dog or think it might be barking because it is suffering.
Report Dog Barking
For more information or if a barking dog is causing an ongoing problem and you have not been able to resolve it by talking to the owner, you can report it to us.
Additional information about dealing with noise from neighbouring properties.