What can be done about straying dogs?

Please contact the Animal Wardens on 01273 484354 if you have picked up a stray dog or seen a dog straying. The Council has a legal duty to deal with any dog found straying and are obliged to seize the dog and detain it. The law makes the keeper of a stray dog responsible for allowing it to stray, regardless of how it escaped. Attempts will be made to trace and return the dog to its owner/keeper if the animal is micro-chipped or has an identity disk, however, the onus is on the owner to claim the dog. A charge will be made before a dog is returned to its owner/keeper and this will increase each day the dog is kept in kennels. If the owner has not been located by the end of 7 days the Council will take responsibility to re-home the dog.

The Animal Warden Service only operates during normal working hours. If a stray is found late in the afternoon, in the evening or at weekends it is recommended that the animal be taken to the nearest Police Station. The Wardens will be notified and will pick the dog up at the earliest opportunity. If you are unable to do this, you may have to hold on to the dog until the Wardens can be contacted.

All dogs must wear a collar and tag (or be micro-chipped). It is a criminal offence not to do so and owners face a fine of £5000 if prosecuted. Information on the tag should include the owner's name and address. Inclusion of a telephone number is optional but useful.