Scheme to encourage responsible dog ownership launched across Gwent

Gwent Police has rolled out its Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs (LEAD) initiative across Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen council areas.

The LEAD initiative was launched in Caerphilly in 2023 and promotes responsible dog ownership, with a clear path of enforcement for irresponsible owners.

It is a partnership approach to community safety involving the police, local authorities and other partners, enabling them to share intelligence and implement a range of measures such as warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts and enforcement action if appropriate.

LEAD has been recognised nationally as best practice for promoting responsible ownership and aims to keep people safe and ensure that dogs are looked after and not used in a way that causes harm.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd said: “I am pleased to see LEAD being rolled out across all local authority areas in Gwent. While most dog owners look after their pets responsibly, we must send a clear message to the minority of irresponsible owners that their behaviours will not be tolerated.

“It is an example of the police, local authorities and community safety partners working together to make a difference and tackle an issue that we know is a concern for our residents.   

“I recently had the opportunity to meet with the families of Jack Lis and Shirley Patrick, who both tragically died following dog attacks in Gwent. The families have been through the worst thing imaginable, and I must commend the courage they have shown campaigning for a change to the laws on dog ownership. LEAD brings together the police with local authorities and partners to work together with our communities to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.

If you have concerns about dogs in your community then please report them to your local council, or Gwent Police if it is an emergency.”

For more information on LEAD, visit the Gwent Police website.

Members of the public are urged to call the local authority for noisy dogs, dog fouling, illegal breeding or stray dogs.

Call Gwent Police on 101, or message via Facebook or X for illegal breeds, organised dog fights, dangerous dogs or anti-social behaviour with dogs.

In an emergency, always dial 999.