Stray Dogs & Responsible Dog Ownership

The Dog Control Officer may detain any stray dog he finds in a public place, either on patrol or in response to a complaint. Strays on private land can also be captured, with the landowners consent.

Under the Governments Control of Dogs Order 1992 all dogs in a public place are legally required to wear a collar and tag giving the name and address of the owner. It is an offence for your dog to be without this identification.

As a collar and tag can easily become lost it is advisable to consider having your dog micro-chipped.

Dogs found without adequate identification, or which have strayed before, will be taken to our contractor’s kennels, (College Garth Kennels, Hathern) and kept there for the statutory 7 day period. If unclaimed they will be made available for re-homing.

Before the dog can be reclaimed by its owner, a fine, daily boarding charges and any veterinary fees incurred must be paid.

For details of how to report stray dogs or where to take them if captured, please see the Dog Warden Service page.

Information leaflets

Information leaflets are available on Stray Dogs and Responsible Dog Ownership