In the early 19th century, Docking was hosting a magistrates' court or Petty Sessions on the last Monday of the month at the Hare Inn, on the present Station Road. The same establishment, founded in the 17th century but renovated and extended at this time, was also the post-house or centre of horse-drawn public transport for the village. The village stocks used to be located outside the inn for malefactors found guilty, but these are now by the village sign. The "Cage" or village lock-up, a tiny windowless prison, survives from the same period and is at the west end of Chequers Street. The village's old stray animal pound is next to it.