Animal welfare problems

The Dog Warden Service deals with many aspects of animal welfare throughout its day-to-day routine; its aim in most cases is to point the complainant in the right direction.

Foxes

Walsall Council operates a non-hunting policy in respect to all wild life.

Badgers

As with the above policy the hunting of the badger is prohibited, it is also illegal to bait badgers throughout the British Isles.

Squirrels

To many folk squirrels are a pest, especially if they can access dwellings where they cause substantial damage. To others they are delightful creatures which they encourage into their gardens. They are not pests within the meaning of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act unlike rats and mice. Grey squirrels are not, however, protected species and may be humanely destroyed by landowners and householders.

Because of the affection in which they are held by many the council does not provide a service to eradicate squirrels although a number of private contractors will do so at a cost. Check yellow pages for details.

You may also trap or destroy GREY squirrels yourself. If you trap them you must destroy them, you cannot lawfully release them into the wild. In any event they would be unlikely to survive in a new environment already populated by other territorial squirrels.

Pet Shops: What is undertaken to ensure our wildlife is not used for profit?

The service carries out routine random checks for the sale of prohibited animals such as wild birds, dogs and wild game fowl. Only stock that is bred in captivity may be sold under licence. The sale of dogs is not allowed.

Can I feed the wildlife?

We all look forward to joining the children in feeding the ducks and their many cousins along our many miles of canals and ponds. In some aspects these are good activities, however in many other ways it can cause numerous problems both for the wildlife and for us humans.

If you feed on a daily basis the wildlife will become dependant upon you for the food you provide. In doing so without the control that nature puts on them for food, they will breed in greater numbers, upsetting the natural balance of nature.

Any food which is not consumed, will in turn attract vermin such as rats.

Contact us

Public Health Team
Challenge Building
Hatherton Road
Walsall
WS1 1YG

Telephone 01922 652210
Email dogs@walsall.gov.uk