Within the council, animal control is a high profile service, providing not only the control of stray dogs, but also many other aspects of animal welfare.

General service provision

Please contact the Dog Warden Service on 01423 556633 on matters relating to:

• The control of stray dogs.
• The control of barking dogs causing a nuisance. 
• Enforcement action - dog fouling and dog fouling notices
• Education - dog fouling, dog fouling notices and 'poop scoop' bags and promotion of responsible dog ownership.
• Permanent pet identification in the form of microchipping.

Please contact the licensing team on matters of animal licensing:

• Animal boarding
• Dog breeding 
• Dangerous, exotic and wild animals
• Horse riding establishments
• Pet shops
• Zoos 

Dangerous dogs - who should you call?

The reporting of incidents relating to dangerous dogs should be reported to North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.

Cruelty to animals - who should you call?

If you suspect that an animal of any kind is being subjected to any form or cruelty then contact the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) on their 24-hour Cruelty 7 Advice Line on 0300 1234 999.

The County Council has formal links with the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in enforcing national legislation governing the health and welfare of farm animals. This includes responding to complaints of neglect or ill treatment of livestock on farms, during transport, at markets, etc.

The identification and registration schemes that are in place to control animal movements are also overseen by North Yorkshire County Council, along with the issuing of animal movement licences for on farm movements and movement to slaughter.