A stray dog is a dog that is in a public place or on private land without the permission of the owner or occupier, and not accompanied by its owner or the person in charge of the dog.  The law relating to stray dogs in contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 

Dog Warden

To protect the dog, other animals, the public and the environment the Council Dog Warden will seize stray dogs.  The Dog Warden will check the dogs collar and microchip and attempt to return the dog to its owner.  If this is not possible, the dog will be taken to the Council's kennels.  It will be kept there for seven days so that the owner can claim the dog.  After the seven days, the Council will make the dog available for rehoming.

Finding a Stray Dog 

If you find a stray dog, you must either return the dog to its owner or contact the Council and hand the dog over to the Dog Warden.

Lost Dogs

If you have lost your dog within the District, contact the Council and we can check whether the Dog Warden has seized it.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires that any dog in a highway or public place must wear a collar with the details of the owner attached to it.  The owner or person in charge of the dog can be prosecuted if the dog is not wearing a collar and the maximum penalty upon summary conviction is six months imprisonment and an unlimited fine.  Any dog not wearing a collar may also be seized by the Dog Warden and treated as a stray dog.     

The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 requires that all dogs older than eight weeks must be implanted with a microchip and that the microchip must be registered to a database containing the details of the owner.  Failing to have a dog microchipped when required to do so is a criminal offence, as is failing to update the microchip details on becoming the owner of a dog, and the maximum penalty upon summary conviction is £500.  Council officers may also take possession of a dog in order to implant a microchip and recover the costs in doing so from the owner.  

The Council has introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to dog control, The Cannock Chase District Council Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Control) 2018.  The PSPO creates a number of criminal offences within the District. 

Dog Fouling

• Any person in charge of a dog in a public place must remove the dogs' faeces. 
• Any person in charge of a dog in a public place must have a receptacle for removing the faeces and present it when required to do so by a Council officer.  

Dogs on Leads

• Any person in charge of a dog in a highway, including the carriageway and footway, must keep the dog on a lead.
• Any person in charge of a dog in a highway, including the carriageway and footway, must put the dog on a lead when required to do so by a Council officer.

Exclusion of Dogs from Play Areas

• Any person in charge of a dog must ensure the dog does not enter one of the play areas listed in the Order.

Maximum Number of Dogs in Charge

• Any person in charge of dogs in a public place must not be in charge of more than six dogs. 

It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with requirements of the Order, and the maximum penalty upon summary conviction is £1,000.  As an alternative to prosecution, Council officers have the power to issue a fixed penalty notice to a person they believe has committed this offence.  The fixed penalty is set at £100.