PCC calls on Government to address rising cost pressures from kennelling illegal dogs

In a letter to Emma Reynolds MP, who is the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), PCC John Campion has raised the growing impact kennelling illegal dogs and veterinary bills are having on West Mercia Police.

Emma Reynolds MP

House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA 

Friday 8th May 2026

Dear Emma,

I am writing to you in relation to the impact kennelling illegal dogs and veterinary costs are having on West Mercia Police.

As Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, I am responsible for the totality of the force’s budget. Policing continues to face long‑term financial pressures, rising demand and new Government priorities. Working alongside the Chief Constable, we are managing resources locally and making difficult decisions. This has already meant above‑inflation council tax rises and reductions in workforce numbers.

I am committed to doing everything possible to ease these pressures. One of the most acute comes from the cost of kennelling seized illegal dogs and the associated veterinary bills. These costs are increasing year on year and are placing growing strain on both police budgets and animal welfare.

In 2024/25, we budgeted £226,000 but ended up spending £552,000 – over £326,000 more than planned.

In 2025/26, we budgeted £375,000, but the actual cost was £715,000 – a difference of £340,000. For 2026/27, the budget has had to increase to £656,000.

To put this into context, since 2024, the budget for kennelling and vet costs has risen by 190%, while the funding provided by DEFRA has not kept pace with what is needed.

The law rightly requires seized dogs to be safely kennelled until a court determination is made so these costs are unavoidable. However, prolonged court timelines – often outside the control of police forces – mean dogs remain in kennels for extended periods, driving up costs and increasing welfare risks.

Unless addressed, this ongoing shortfall will continue to be met from existing policing budgets, diverting funding away from core policing priorities and neighbourhood services that matter most to the public.

In light of this, I would welcome your consideration of the following measures to support West Mercia Police and other forces, and to ensure the effective and humane operation of the legislation:

• Additional central government funding to offset kennelling and veterinary costs arising directly from new legislative requirements, including the XL Bully ban.
• A dedicated priority protocol for seized dog cases where financial and welfare impacts are escalating.
• Clearer HMCTS timelines or service standards for breed‑determination hearings.
• Procedural reforms such as earlier resolution of uncontested destruction orders in the Magistrates’ Court to reduce unnecessary delay.

I hope you agree that the current arrangements cannot continue, as they are placing unreasonable and unsustainable pressure on policing. I would welcome your consideration of the measures outlined above.

I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Should you require any further information, I would be happy to discuss in more detail the impact these pressures are having on communities and policing in West Mercia.

Yours sincerely,

John Campion

Police and Crime Commissioner

West Mercia