Bradford dangerous dog complaints on the rise - council

Councillors in Bradford will hear that the number of complaints about dangerous dogs has risen

Nearly 100 more complaints about dangerous dogs were made in Bradford in 2023 than in the previous year, figures have shown.

A total of 322 complaints were made to the city's dog control team last year, up from 229 in 2022, the council said.

A decision is due later this week over whether to extend an order allowing Bradford Council to fine people for not keeping their dogs under control.

Dog fouling reports had also risen in the past year, councillors will hear.

Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee meets on Thursday to decide whether to extend the dog control order for a further three years.

It would mean dog owners would continue to be fined if they did not keep their animal on a lead in areas like parks, sports fields and cemeteries.

Councillors will hear feedback from a consultation held earlier this year, which garnered 113 responses.

One respondent to the consultation said: "When cycling in Ilkley, on several occasions dogs have come after me, barking".

As part of the consultation, people were asked whether the order should be extended to the new city centre park being developed on Hall Ings.

Councillors are due to meet on Thursday to discuss extending a dog control order in Bradford

Danny Jackson, the council's countryside and rights of way manager, said: "The issues of concern are large numbers of dogs under one person's control in public spaces, which can be intimidating and has resulted in attacks.

"Dogs are let off the lead all at once and cause significant disturbance to our protected moorland ground-nesting birds during the breeding season.

"We are also sceptical about the handler's ability [and] inclination to pick up the dog mess from such large numbers of scattered dogs.

"We have witnessed them not bothering or not being aware on numerous occasions."

The number of dog fouling reports rose from 371 in 2022 to 417 in 2023, councillors will hear.

A respondent to the consultation said: "We regularly use Bradford Bandits BMX track and have to constantly pick up dog faeces prior to training".

If the order is extended, dog owners would be fined for failing to pick up dog mess or not having a bag with them to collect it.

Members of the committee will be told that as well as the rise in reports of dangerous dogs, 2023 saw the numbers of reported strays rise from 441 in 2022 to 678 last year.