Police Dog Welfare Independent Visitors Scheme
- The scheme in a nutshell
- How are Independent Dog Welfare Visitors selected and trained?
- When are visits made?
- What happens when Independent Dog Welfare Visitors make a visit?
- What are the reporting procedures?
- Annual Reports
1. The scheme in a nutshell
The Police Dog Welfare Independent Visitors Scheme is a service governed by the Police Authority to provide the opportunity for independent observation on how police dogs are housed, trained and transported. The scheme aims to secure greater transparency, public understanding and confidence in police dog welfare through conducting visits by independent and voluntary members of the public. The reports that result from visits are then used to help regulate the treatment and care of dogs throughout the police service.
2. How are Independent Dog Welfare Visitors selected and trained?
Independent Dog Welfare Visitors are recruited and trained through the Independent Custody Visiting scheme.
3. When are visits made?
Independent visitors can make visits from time to time on a discretionary basis. However, circumstances may also arise where the police will wish to initiate a visit, when for example there might be particular public concern into the treatment and well-being of a police dog.
4. What happens when Independent Dog Welfare Visitors make a visit?
Dog Welfare Visitors can make visits at certain designated dog handling police station locations. Visitors may inspect the conditions in which dogs are kept and be allowed access to welfare, training and veterinary records as well as being allowed access to speak to trainers, trainees, dog handlers, and support staff.
5. What are the reporting procedures?
Written summary reports are completed as a standard form and forwarded to the Police Authority Chief Executive who in turn is responsible for drawing the attention of the Police Authority to any issues that may be of concern.