Our dog wardens are responsible for enforcing relevant legislation, and byelaws, which deal with issues arising from the keeping of dogs as pets.
Our dog wardens investigate reports of dog fouling and makes prosecutions where necessary. They respond to complaints regarding stray dogs and every effort is made to reunite them with their owners. Reports of dangerous dogs or complaints where someone has been bitten are a police matter. The Environmental Health Section also responds to complaints of barking dogs.
The dog warden is not responsible for the mistreatment or neglect of dogs. If you are concerned about the treatment of a dog you should contact the RSPCA.
Lost dogs
If you lose your dog you should report it to the dog warden on 01495 235036 as soon as possible. You will be asked for details on the type of dog, colour, sex and where and when it was lost. You will be asked if the dog has a collar and tag on as well.
These details will be recorded and any dogs picked up or reported to found will be checked against this record. You will be contacted when/if your dog is found. It is important that you let the dog warden service know if you later find the dog yourself.
Found dogs
If you find a dog you should contact the dog warden service on 01495 235036. These details will be recorded and checked against the record of lost dogs to see if there is a match. If no owner has come forward or the owner is not contactable the dog warden will endeavour to collect the dog that same day. The dog will be taken to secure kennels and cared for until the owner is found or contacted.
The owner will be advised that the dog has been found and that there are fees to pay before the dog will be returned to them. These fees include the cost of seizure of the dog by the dog warden and kennelling fees, which are charged on a daily basis.
If no owner comes forward or they decide not to claim the dog, then it is kept for 7 full days, following which it is legally signed over to be rehomed. No dogs are put to sleep except in exceptional circumstances.
Barking dogs
All dogs will periodically bark, however if the dog is left alone for long periods of time or it is bored then it will bark for long periods of time. This can cause annoyance and distress to neighbours.
Is your dog barking too much? The Defra website offers advice and guidance to dog owners. Find out more by clicking the link below:
Constant Barking Can Be Avoided: Offering guidance to dog owners
If you have a problem with a barking dog the first thing you should do is talk with the owner, who may not be aware that the dog barking is causing a problem. If this does not work then contact us on 01495 235036.
You will be sent noise record sheets. These sheets are needed to determine how often, how long and when the dog barks. If the records show that the barking is possibly a nuisance based on the frequency and duration of the barking then further investigations will be carried out. An Environmental Health Officer will visit the owner and discuss the problem. The details of who complains to us are kept fully confidential.
In extreme cases legal action can be taken against the owner of the dogs if they are unwilling to address the problem.
Animal fouling
It is a fact of life that dogs will foul at some stage when they are out in public places. Responsible dog owners should automatically clear the mess up. Sadly this is not always the case.
Visit our Animal fouling webpage for further information on this service.
Neutering voucher scheme
The dog warden can arrange for your dog to be neutered but you should be aware that this may involve you being placed on a waiting list for approximately 6 months. This service is not provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
To qualify for this service, your dog must be at least 6 months old.
Just come along to one our our dog neutering surgeries as follows: -
| Location | Day | Time |
| Ael y Bryn Community Centre, Ty Coch, Rhymney | First Thursday of the month | 11am - 12noon |
| White Rose Resourse Centre, White Rose Way, New Tredegar | Last Thursday of the month | 3pm - 4pm |
| Risca Library, 75 Tredegar Street , Risca | First Tuesday of the Month | 5pm - 6.30pm |
Microchipping your dog
If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to make sure it wears a collar and an identity tag. More and more dog owners are now choosing to have them fitted with a microchip.
A microchip is a tiny metal device which is injected under a dog's skin between its shoulder blades and helps to identify animals if they go missing or are stolen.
Every chip has its own unique ID number. This number matches information about your dog held on a nationwide database, along with your contact details. You provide this information when the chip is fitted.
If your dog is found by our dog wardens or handed in at the kennels, they will check to see if it has been fitted with a chip. If it has, they will check the device's ID number against the database to find you and you will be contacted .
Most vets offer a microchipping service. Animal welfare groups, can also fit dogs with chips. The council also offers free microchipping as part of their neutering voucher scheme. Details about this scheme are provided above.
Rehoming a dog
The Dog Warden can arrange for your dog to be rehomed but you should be aware that it may take some time to find a suitable home. This service is not provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Request for a dog to be rehomed online