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Pests and animal welfare

A pet that is loved, well cared for and properly trained can provide great enjoyment and companionship but any pet can also be a nuisance if the owner behaves irresponsibly or inconsiderately. Our Animal Welfare team takes the wellbeing of pets very seriously. However, we all have a responsibility to ensure that all animals, not just pets, are treated humanely and the following sections should help answer your questions. A further useful list of information for all pet owners is on the Blue Cross Website

Unwanted animals

St Albans & City District Council does not accept animals for re-homing or euthanasia. Local organisations that may be able to help are:

  • Blue Cross: the national website offers extensive information. Their Hertfordshire animal rehoming website is here, or call them on 0300 777 1490
  • National Animal Welfare Trust  is based in Watford. Telephone 0208 950 0177.
  • RSPCA: the nearest animal rehoming centre is their Southridge Animal Centre, tel 0300 123 0704 (Please note that for animals in distress you should call the RSPCA 24hr helpline on 0300 1234 999)

Sick or injured animals, or animals subject to cruelty

  • If you are worried about a sick or injured animal or concerned about possible cruel behaviour towards an animal, you should telephone the RSPCA on their 24-hour national helpline: 0300 1234 999. If possible, also use the guidance and checklist on their website which will help you provide the maximum information to inform their response. 
  • If it is safe or practicable to do so, you could take the animal to your local veterinary surgery.
  • If you need help in paying for the treatment of a sick or injured animal, the PDSA (Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals) may be able to help. Visit the PDSA website or call 0800 731 2502 (for your own pet) or 0800 917 2509 (other enquiries)

Removal of dead animals

  • If you discover a small dead animal (e.g. fox, dog, cat etc.) in your garden, please put the animal in a bin bag on the boundary of the property and let us know.  Call 01727 809019 or email  wastemanagementservices@stalbans.gov.uk. Veolia will come to collect the animal as soon as possible. If it is a domestic animal, we will scan for a microchip to locate the owner where possible.
  • Dead pigeons or rats can be double wrapped in bin bags and placed in your domestic bin for collection.
  • To report a large dead animal (e.g. a horse) on the side of the road, please call 01727 819478 or email wastemanagementofficers@stalbans.gov.uk. Arrangements will be made with a slaughter house to collect.
  • You can use the same contact details to report and request collection of roadkill (pets or wild animals seen dead on the roads).
  • If you are involved in road accident with one of several specified animals, including dogs and horses, you must tell the police, whether or not the animal has been killed. Call the police on 101 (only use 999 if a person is in immediate danger) or  St Albans Police Station on 0845 33 00 222.

Caring for other people’s animals

  • You do not need a licence for dog walking or looking after other people’s dogs or cats in their own home.
  • You do need a licence from the Council if you provide care and/or accommodation for other people’s animals at premises you use. Regulations fall under the The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. Licence details can be found here.

Dogs

Dog-walking / feeding / kennels Toggle accordion

Lost/found dogs Toggle accordion

Lost dogs

 

Found dogs

  • St Albans City and District Council has a responsibility for dogs that are causing a nuisance or appear to be a stray. For help or advice please contact SDK Environmental Limited on 03444 828 320.
  • Stray dogs found within the jurisdiction of SADC and in the possession of a member of the public will be collected from an address within this District by our contractor SDK Environmental Ltd. Animals that are not kept on a lead or confined will not be collected. Where a dog seems dangerous and cannot be contained, seek advice from the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or from the police on 101.
  • When the Council collects a stray dog, it will be taken to the Council designated kennels and kept there. If after the statutory 7-day period the owner has not come forward, then the dog will be re-homed.
  • When a dog is claimed by its owner, the owner is required to pay all costs incurred by the Council including kenneling costs. Once payment has been received then arrangements will be made for you to collect the dog or we can return the dog to its owner for a charge as detailed below. You can make a payment by calling SDK Environmental Limited on 03444 828 300 between the hours of 9am - 5pm, seven days a week. Please have your debit or credit card ready to make payment.

 

Direct return of chipped/tagged dogs to owner: £30.80 (prior to kennel stay)

Collection of dogs from kennels (only if dog is microchipped): £61.20 + £19.80 per night

Collection of dogs from kennels (not chipped or information out of date and no permission to chip prior to release): £84.50 + £19.80 per night

Collection of dogs from kennels (not chipped, permission to chip prior to release - cost of chip included): £74.20 + £19.80 per night

Dog warden returns dog from kennels (microchipped dog): £121.20 + £19.80 per night

Dog wardens returns dog from kennels (not chipped or information out of date and no permission to chip prior to release): £145.20 + £19.80 per night

(£59.50 admin fee - not chipped, £60.70 returned from kennels fee & £25 containment fee)

Dog warden returns dog from kennels (not chipped, permission to chip prior to release - cost of chip included): £134.90 + £19.80 per night

Dangerous dogs Toggle accordion

  • The Police retain duties for dealing with dangerous dogs and dogs found to be worrying livestock. This includes dogs that are running in the road or preventing entry or access to any property. 
  • If you are concerned about a dangerous or banned breed of dog (American 'Pit Bull' Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazeiliero or breeds of these dogs).

Contact the police by calling 101

For more information regarding dangerous dogs please visit gov.uk. Additional useful information can be found on the Blue Cross website.

Noise from barking dogs Toggle accordion

If you are experiencing problems with noise nuisance from barking dogs then please contact the Environmental Compliance Team within the Regulatory Services department on 01727 819 406 or email environmental@stalbans.gov.uk  for further advice.

For dog owners seeking advice about barking dogs please see our dog barking leaflet.

Dog bins / dog fouling Toggle accordion

Public Spaces Protection Orders

  • Some public areas in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) - previously called Dog Control Orders (DCOs).

    In public areas with PSPOs, you may have to:

  • keep your dog on a lead

  • put your dog on a lead if told to by a police officer, police community support officer or someone from the council
  • stop your dog going to certain places - like farmland or parts of a park
  • limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too)
  • clear up after your dog
  • carry a poop scoop and disposable bags
  • If anyone fails to meet the requirements of the PSPO or to comply with a request from authorised council officer, they could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution.

    St Albans City & District Council currently does not have any PSPOs applying to dogs in place.

    General advice and guidance can be found on the Blue Cross link.  https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/laws-all-dog-owners-need-know

Other animals including wildlife

Cats Toggle accordion

  • For lost or found cats please contact the Council on 01727 819285 
  • For further information / advice please contact Cats Protection on 0300 012 1212 or visit their website

Chickens Toggle accordion

You do not need a license to keep chickens as pets provided your total flock (all bird species combined) is of no more than 50. Information & advice is available from Defra and the RSPCA. If a neighbours chickens are causing a noise / odour nuisance, or you have noticed increased rodent activity in your area, you can contact the Regulatory Services department on 01727 819406 or email environmental@stalbans.gov.uk for further advice.

Horses Toggle accordion

For matters concerning horse welfare you can contact World Horse Welfare on 0300 333 6000 (08:00 – 17.30) or visit World Horse Welfare. For horses, or other animals, blocking the highway, please contact the police on 101 or St Albans Police Station on 0845 33 00 222.

Foxes Toggle accordion

A wide range of information is available on  The Fox Website. If you discover a fox in distress, call the RSPCA on their 24-hour national helpline: 0300 1234 999. If possible, also use the guidance and checklist on their website which will help you provide the maximum information to inform their response. 

Other wildlife Toggle accordion

For information/advice please contact the RSPCA or Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital who also have a 24 hour helpline 01844 292292.

Pests

St Albans City and District Council has contracted out the pest control service to SDK Environmental Limited (trading as DialAPest) which provides a comprehensive service for domestic properties.

Please follow the links below to book an appointment or a call back. 

alternatively please phone on 03444 828 325 (09:00-17:00 seven days a week).

There is a charge for pest control. Payment is from your debit or credit card once the booking is confirmed. Discounts are available if you are in receipt of benefits – check for details when booking. You can find more information about treatments and charges below.

Rats Toggle accordion

We have specific legal powers to take steps to deal with rat and mice infestations. We will take action to eradicate rats and mice on our own land and can serve a notice on an owner or occupier ordering work to resolve the issue.

You should ensure that your land is free from rats or mice by ensuring that your garden is not attracting rodents and bait when necessary. If you feel a neighbouring garden or land is attracting rodents you should contact us and we can investigate further. We cannot make someone clear an overgrown garden however we can take action if their garden provides harbourage such as containing household waste that rodents can nest in or food sources.

Rats often live in drains. If you believe you have a problem with your private drain it is your responsibility to deal with it. If it is a shared sewer that may allow rats to access your property you should contact Thames Water.

We offer a pest control service at a subsidised rate to eradicate rats at domestic properties. Please contact the Council's pest control contractor (SDK Environmental/Dial a Pest) on 03444 828 350 to organise treatment.

  • Treatment for the disinfestation of rats consists of a baiting programme of at least two visits over a 6 to 8 week period.  Rats are treated at £50 per treatment (discounted rate of £33.30 for people on certain benefits currently housing benefit and council tax benefit [excluding single persons allowance] and universal credit. If you quality for a discounted treatment price you will be unable to book online and proof of your benefits will be required).
  • You will be contacted within 2 working days for rats outside, or 1 working day for rats inside, unless otherwise requested by the customer.
  • Residents in Receipt of a Qualifying Means Tested Benefit

    If you qualify and wish to apply for this discount, you must confirm your eligibility with SDK, so please email them at bookings@sdkenvironmental.com

    You will need to provide your - name, postcode, phone number (preferably a mobile) and the pest you wish treated - you must attach proof of current entitlement. They can only accept evidence as jpg or pdf versions to validate your application. Once entitlement is confirmed, SDK will contact you to assist with your booking and in accordance with their Privacy Policy any attached documents will be destroyed / deleted once processing is complete.

Mice Toggle accordion

  • Treatment for the disinfestation of mice consists of a baiting programme of at least two visits over a 6 to 8 week period. Mice are treated at £50 per treatment (discounted rate of £33.30 for people on certain benefits currently housing benefit and council tax benefit [excluding single persons allowance] and universal credit. If you quality for a discounted treatment price you will be unable to book online and proof of your benefits will be required).
  • Treatments are not available for mice in gardens or outbuildings.
  • You will be contacted within 2 working days for mice inside a home.

Cockroaches Toggle accordion

  • Treatment for the disinfestation of cockroaches may start with the laying of traps to establish the level of infestation and the type of cockroach, followed by spray, gel, or fumigation depending on infestation levels. 
  • Cockroaches are treated at a cost of £100. More than one treatment may be required. 
  • You will be contacted within 1 working day for cockroaches within a home.

Bedbugs Toggle accordion

  • Treatment for the disinfestation of bed bugs is one visit for a spray application or fumigation to the bed and surrounding areas. More than one treatment may be required, and it is recommended that all bedrooms are treated.
  • Bed bugs are treated at a cost of £100
  • You will be contacted within 1 working day for bed bugs within a home.

Wasps Toggle accordion

  • Wasps are treated at a cost of £50

Pests we do not remove or exterminate Toggle accordion

  • We do not arrange treatment or removal of Bees & wasps (except wasps, as above), flies, birds including pigeons, rabbits, squirrels, moths, foxes, fleas, woodlice, silverfish, ants, beetles, house mites, moles, psocids or muntjac deer.
  • Whilst St Albans City and District Council do not treat any of the above pests, treatments can be booked through the Council's preferred contractor SDK Environmental Limited, tel: 03444 828 325 
  • If you live in a council owned property speak to your housing manager if you have problems with the above pests. 

Bats – a protected species Toggle accordion

Bats are a protected species. For advice on caring for bats or their habitat, or if bats have become a nuisance, contact either of the following organisations:

Other useful information Toggle accordion

  • DialAPest will be able to provide you with information and advice on the pests listed above and others. 
  • Their website also includes factsheets about many common pests – these can be found at the foot of their website homepage.