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Environmental Health
Lewes District Council
Southover House
Southover Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1AB
Tel: 01273 484354
ehealth@lewes.gov.uk
Minicom 01273 484488
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Stray Dogs
Advice on what to do if coming across a stray dog and advice to owners to prevent fines and kennel costs
The law makes the keeper of a stray dog responsible for allowing it to stray, regardless of how it escaped. Owners should take care in ensuring their dog is safe and secure.
When walking, your dog should be under control. Gardens should be fenced securely and gates kept firmly shut
Unsupervised dogs are a nuisance to the public and at liberty to foul in public places. They can be a danger to themselves and a hazard on the roads.
All dogs must wear a collar and tag. It is a criminal offence not to do so and owners face a fine of up to £5000.
Reporting strays
Lost dogs can be reported to our Animal Wardens at any time or the local police. We have a legal duty to deal with any dog found straying and are obliged to seize the dog and detain it.
We operate during normal working hours. If a stray is found outside of these houses, contact our out of hours care line. We will contact the finder at the earliest opportunity.
We are required to act under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to detain any dogs found straying. They will be returned to its owner but will be subject to payment of a fine and all expenses incurred.
A charge will be made before a dog is returned. This will increase each day the dog is kept in kennels. If the owner has not been located by the end of seven days we will take responsibility to re-home the dog.
We have the power to dispose of them after seven days should they remain unclaimed.
Costs
We make charges when we a stray dog is picked up by our Animal Wardens:
- Detention of dog - £35.00
- Statutory charge - £25.00
- Return of dog - £35.00
- Kennelling – At cost
