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.