MPS response to dangerous dogs

Report: 8
Date: 8 January 2009
By: Acting Assistant Commissioner Central Operations on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

The issue of dangerous dogs has been receiving an increased amount of public attention over the last few months. Data indicates that dog related crime and anti-social behaviour is a growing problem. Pit bull-type dogs have become a weapon of choice for a number of people involved in gang-related crime, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. Police and animal welfare agencies have seen incidents double year on year in relation to abandoned animals, dog-fighting, and dog seizures. This has created significant financial and resourcing issues for the MPS and has affected the operational capability of the MPS Dog Support Unit. This report proposes a reorganisation of existing resources in order to meet this growing challenge, provide a more proactive response and thereby better reassure the public.

A. Recommendation

That members note the action being taken by the MPS.

B. Supporting information

1. The number of dangerous dogs seized by police has increased considerably over the last few years:

• From 2002 to March 2006 - 43 dogs were seized;
• From April 2006 to March 2008 - 654 dogs were seized;
• From April 2008 to November 2008 - 494 dogs have been seized;
• There are currently 270 dogs in kennels subject of court proceedings

2. Between 2004 and 2006, the RSPCA saw a five-fold increase in dog fighting and of the 137 such reports, 82 youths were involved in fighting their dogs in the park or street.

3. Borough officers are assisted by the MPS Central Operations Dog Support Unit in dealing with investigations related to dangerous dogs. From the 1 April 08 – 1 December 08, there were 1342 spontaneous dangerous dog calls responded to by General Purpose (GP) dog units. In the same period there were 404 pre-planned operations.

4. Each investigation requires by law the support of a ‘Dog Legislation Officer’ (DLO). Part of the requirement is that they fulfil the role of an expert witness. This role is currently carried out by 22 dog handlers. On average, each dangerous dog case takes up to 24 hours of policing time. During this period, the DLO is not being deployed with their operational police dog. This clearly inhibits the capacity of the unit overall and fails to use police dog time efficiently or effectively. There is also an impact on young police dogs in that they do not receive sufficient development opportunities.

5. At present the MPS is limited in who can carry out the role of DLO. Home Office Circular 80/1992: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes reference to who can be an expert witness. It says "These might include veterinary surgeons with experience in dealing with pit bull terriers or the other types of specially controlled dog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Judges, experienced police dog handlers or representatives of animal welfare organisations."

6. Increased incident demand and increasingly competing operational demands on DLO’s limit the support to investigations and the ability of the MPS to be proactive. Another issue is the increased time that dogs are spending in kennels awaiting the outcome of court proceedings. On average, each dog is kennelled for 182 days. This results in the dogs becoming more volatile, dangerous and more difficult to re-house. A number of animal welfare agencies have expressed their concern as to the length of time and the conditions in which these animals are kept. There are also clear cost implications for the MPS, outlined later in this report.

Proposed operational response

7. There has been a series of discussions involving Territorial Policing and Central Operations to explore the options for an enhanced response. As a consequence it has been decided that a specialist MPS Dangerous Dog Unit is required.

8. This unit will sit within CO, alongside the current source of expertise, the MPS Dog Support Unit. The new unit will comprise 1 sergeant, 5 constables and one Band E administrative support member of police staff. This is the staffing arrangement that will enable to unit to achieve operational effectiveness soonest.

9. It is recognised that, subject to meeting the legislative requirements in relation to expert witness status, this role could be performed by police staff. CO will bring forward proposals over the next 6 months to migrate from police officers to appropriately qualified police staff.

10. Whilst the unit will sit in Central Operations, the resources to create it will move across from Territorial Policing. Reducing the capacity of the Dog Section in order to meet the resource requirements of the new unit was considered but dismissed as not being in the interests of operational effectiveness. No posts will transfer from TP to CO and the officer deployment plan will have to be increased to reflect six new posts in CO

11. Discussions will continue about transferring the kennelling services currently provided by the Human Resources Directorate (Logistical Services) to CO to facilitate the provision of an integrated approach to dealing with dangerous dogs.

12. The principal functions of the MPS Dangerous Dog Unit will be:

• To examine the majority of dangerous dogs in kennels;
• To provide specialist advice and support to borough officers in their investigations;
• To fulfil the specialist function required in the prosecution process.

13. The benefits to the MPS will include:

• A reduction in the number of days required to prepare prosecution case papers;
• A reduction in the number of days a dog would be required to remain in kennels resulting in a significant cost saving;
• A pro-active capability to target offenders who are breeding dogs, in possession of or using their dogs in dog fights;
• Improved intelligence on dangerous dog offences and offenders;
• Increased support to operational activity targeting youth crime and anti-social behaviour;
• A dedicated interface with the London Dangerous Dog Forum (LDDF). This forum brings both statutory and voluntary animal welfare organisations together. The forum will work together in sharing data and intelligence. The ambition is to identify high priority boroughs and then work with Chief Executives, Heads of Community Safety and senior police officers to tackle this problem and to identify and share best practice. The LDDF is chaired by Supt. Julia Pendry of CO11.

14. This response is regarded, by partners, as a meaningful sign of commitment from the MPS. The RSPCA have already agreed to supply dog inspectors to work with the new unit to help investigate and prosecute cases of dog cruelty.

15. It is recognised that there is a contribution to be made by improving the wider criminal justice processes around court proceedings, with a view to speeding up processes The MPS will continue to work with other Criminal Justice partners to identify and progress these improvements.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no equality or diversity implications arising from this proposal.

D. Financial implications

1. The transfer of this function from TP to CO requires a permanent budget move of £350k. As no officer posts will be transferred, the deployment plan will need to reflect six new officer posts in CO. The potential move from PC to Band E in future years would generate approximately £24k savings per officer. Proposals will be drawn up in collaboration with HR and will be reflected in the budget as any change is implemented, with savings returned permanently to TP.

2. The current kennelling cost to the MPS is between £13.70 and £22.00 per dog, per day. In February 2009 there will be 330 kennels available for MPS use.

3. The kennelling budget has remained static for some years even though demand has increased significantly. The budget for 2007/08 was £150k. During this period, 2,720 dogs were in police kennelling, resulting in an end of year spend of £944k. The overspend was managed within resources in HR Logistical Services although TP provided a one-off £300k budget allocation towards the costs in 2007/08.

4. In 2008/09 the budget is again £150k. The forecast end of year spend is £1,350k and this overspend will again be managed within existing HR Logistical Services resources

5. In recognition of this increasing demand on kennelling the draft 2009- 12 budget includes provision for growth of £1.2m a year from 2009/10. Work is in hand to quantify the savings that can be made against future provision as a result of these operational changes.

6. Budget adjustments will be made to reflect the final decision on the location of the kennelling service following the conclusion of discussions between CO and HR.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: A/DAC Steve Allen, MPS

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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