Agenda item

(a)       That the proposed Responsible Pet Ownership Policy be supported; and

(b)       That the Committee support the proposal to apply the Responsible Pet Ownership Policy going forward, and not retrospectively.

The Neighbourhood Housing Manager introduced a report on the Housing Service’s proposed Responsible Pet Ownership Policy.  

                        She detailed the background to the report and explained that the need for developing such a policy had arisen for a wide variety of reasons.  The Neighbourhood Housing Team received a broad range of calls from complaints about animal related nuisance to concerns for the welfare of animals kept in council properties.  The aim of the policy was to allow the Neighbourhood Housing Teams to provide clear guidance and a consistent approach across the county.  It would deal with a broad range of issues faced by the Housing Team and had been developed through feedback from residents who had reported animal related problems, through a Member workshop held in March 2014 and in consultation with the Tenants Federation.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager advised that if the policy was supported at this meeting, it would be submitted to Cabinet in June and if agreed, an implementation date in the future would be agreed rather than applying the policy retrospectively.  She provided a detailed explanation of the issues which had been considered which included implementation issues, the legal framework, the application process, decision making and enforcement.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager also spoke of an accreditation scheme which the Council would look to apply for if the policy was applied. 

                        Mrs. Mavis Crofts from the Tenants Federation said that the Federation had welcomed the opportunity to be consulted on the policy but said that in her opinion, it would be a difficult policy to enforce.  She added that it was important that tenants were aware of their responsibilities and she praised the Housing Team for their consistent hard work. 

                        Councillor Rosetta Dolphin echoed the comments that the policy would be difficult to enforce and asked for clarification on when it would be implemented from.  She did not agree that residents in flats should be allowed to keep pets unless the property was on the ground floor.  In response to a question from Councillor George Hardcastle about the number of staff working within the team, the Neighbourhood Housing Manager said that the team consisted of 11.5 Housing Officers and 3 specialist Anti-social Behaviour Officers.  Following a further question from Councillor Hardcastle, she said that whether pets were permitted would depend on individual circumstances but the policy would provide guidance to the Housing Officers for a consistent approach to all requests.  She was not aware of any legal action being taken since November 2012 about pets being in properties but she said that tools and powers were in place if required. 

                        Councillor Ray Hughes raised concern about a property in his ward where dogs were kept but which fouled in a play area across the road from the dwelling.  He had repeatedly reported it and he added that he felt that the Council should have powers to refuse permission for pets if problems had occurred with tenants in the past.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager advised Councillor Hughes to speak to her following the meeting to provide details of the property. 

                        In referring to an earlier commentabout pets being kept in flats, Councillor David Cox said that it was important not to set a precedent about the keeping of pets.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager said that it was an important point but reminded Members that there were different types of flats.  Councillor Mike Reece asked if the policy covered the keeping of lambs as pets.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager confirmed that they were not classed as household pets and were therefore not permitted.  Councillor Brian Lloyd sought clarification on whether the policy covered the selling of livestock such as rabbits, fish and snakes as a business.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager said that the commercial aspect of animals was detailed in the policy along with the nuisance element of keeping pets.  The policy indicated that breeding of pets should not take place and even though neutering of animals could not be enforced, it would be recommended.  The Head of Housing added that if complaints were received about tenants running a business from their property then this could be picked up under the Tenancy Agreement. 

                        Councillor Rosetta Dolphin spoke of a property that had approximately 8 dogs which were being bred and the puppies being sold and asked how large number of dogs being kept in private sector properties was dealt with.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager said that if the business was being undertaken legally and was registered, then there was nothing to prevent private tenants from doing so, but Council tenants would be investigated.  Councillor Marion Bateman raised concern about a property in her ward where dogs which were locked up outside barked all day and caused a nuisance for the neighbours.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager said that the application process involved tenants having to indicate where the animals would be kept so that any noise nuisance could be prevented before it began.  She agreed to speak to Councillor Bateman about the property following this meeting.  Councillor George Hardcastle asked if the policy could include a condition that all dog owners needed to acquire a licence to keep a dog.  The Neighbourhood Housing Manager confirmed that this was not possible and added that the policy was the best that the Council could do in its legal framework.                      

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That the proposed Responsible Pet Ownership Policy be supported; and

(b)       That the Committee support the proposal to apply the Responsible Pet Ownership Policy going forward, and not retrospectively.