In response to your complaint (of barking, fouling or straying) the Community Warden from the Environmental Services Section will usually wish to discuss your complaint with you before taking any further action. You can normally expect an initial visit or telephone call within one working day dependent on the urgency of the complaint but all complaints will receive attention within five working days.
The Community Warden will explain what action is to be taken. This usually involves the Community Warden carrying out regular patrols around the area of your property to enable any evidence to be collected which would substantiate your complaint. If substantiated an informal approach in the first instance may be made towards the person responsible for the dog causing the complaint.
A letter may also be sent advising that a complaint has been made and asking that person to take any steps that may be necessary to reduce the nuisance. The Community Warden may also ask you to keep a record of any further causes for complaint following the visit. (This record may be used if a more formal action is taken later).
If, in the case of barking, the nuisance continues, the Community Warden or an Officer from the Pollution Team of the Environmental Services Section will normally make three or more visits to assess the extent of the complaint and to see whether, in his/her judgement, the complaint represents a statutory nuisance.
If a statutory nuisance is found, then a Notice will be served upon the person who owns the dog(s) requiring the nuisance to be abated.
There are some occasions where the Council is unable to take action, particularly where the cause of the complaint occurs intermittently and is not judged to be a statutory nuisance. If the Council decides that formal action cannot be taken you will be informed and you will be given advice about taking action yourself if you wish to do so.
You will be informed in writing when the Council has concluded the investigation of your complaint in accordance with this procedure.
For Further Information:
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Contact: Environmental Protection, Mansion House, Penrith CA11 7YG
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Telephone: 01768 817817
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Email: pollution@eden.gov.uk.
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Fax: 01768 890732
