Provision of a Dog Warden Service in the London Borough of Harrow

Description

Local authorities have a statutory function to deal with stray dogs in the Public Realm and powers under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). To discharge this function Harrow Council is seeking tenders from suitably qualified and appropriately licensed companies for the Provision of a Dog Warden Service to operate within the boundaries of the London Borough of Harrow. The chosen Service Provider will provide a comprehensive and fully inclusive service solution for all administration, operational resources, kennelling, rehoming and other reasonably associated costs to cover the full scope of services detailed in the specification document. Lot 1: The chosen Service Provider will be required to provide: • Front line customer call reception seven days a week, 24 hours per day including all bank holidays for all service aspects. Authority would update Service Provider details to their website to receive all service enquiries. • Ensure a high standard of service delivery and in accordance with prevailing published DEFRA guidance on ‘Dog Control and Welfare for Police and Local Authorities’ throughout the contract term. • Kennel facility provision (within a 50-mile radius of Harrow HA3 postcode) • The Service Provider will provide a holding kennel to support and deliver this service should the primary facility not be available for any reason i.e. out of hours collection. This must include a dedicated secure unit for banned breeds and dogs with any suspected contagious disease. • Delivery to kennels and delivery to owner from kennels (in hours 0830 – 1700 Mon – Sun) • Host / provide a publicly accessible Council Statutory Found Dog Register website (link uploaded to Authority website). Upload details and photographs of found dog within 1 day of seizure (7 days per week). Portal must be hosted on a secure web portal with an access license provided to the Council • Microchipped dogs identification equipment • Issuing of statutory notices under Section 149 and 150 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) • Collection and reimbursement to the authority of claimed dog fees in line with the Authority fees charging structure. The Service Provider must verify and hold auditable records that the claimant is the current keeper • Provision of quarterly statistical reports • Management of kennels including rehoming, temperament testing and put to sleep (PTS) if necessary • Provide the service of a proper officer for identification of banned breeds for collected strays • Microchip advisory letters including quotation to microchip claimed animal (if offered as a service) • On the Authority’s request and as far as reasonably practicable, complete FOI’s within 10 working days from receipt in relation to dogs and return this to the nominated Authority Officer (to be advised upon award of contract) • Up to 60 service requests per annum (based on historical service data) to be included within the fixed fee • Service request is defined as call out and collection of a stray dog • Provide seizure/collection and kenneling for abandoned dogs, including banned breeds, on request and in support of enforcement action, up to 12 per annum to be included within the fixed fee • Where Service requests exceed the annual fixed fee allowance an additional fee per request may be charged