Animals - stray

Strays dogs

During office hours (8.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday) we collect or seize any stray dogs found in the borough and keep them safe until claimed; or re-home them if unclaimed after seven days. Outside office hours you will be advised what to do by the Council contact centre on 01622 602117

During the year March 2006 to April 2007, we received 1,077 complaints about dogs, there were 113 lost dog reports. 185 stray dogs were collected and placed in kennels for their safety, the majority of which did not carry the legally required identification. 75 of these dogs were successfully returned to their owners and 37 were passed to a re-homing agency. 1 dog was put down due to ill health or severe behavioural problems. A further 72 dogs were returned to their owners by the council, members of the public or by themselves.

Stray dogs and dogs off leads on public roads

Under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Road Traffic Act 1988 a local authority has a legal duty:

• to pick up any dog which is found straying
• to enforce the provisions of the Control of Dogs and Roads Order 1990.

These responsibilities help protect stray dogs from being involved in accidents with motor vehicles, help prevent the streets from being fouled with dog mess and help protect the general public from being bitten by dogs which may be dangerous or upset at being lost.

To assist with the funding of this essential service the local authority has agreed to levy the following charges on the owner of any dog which is picked up as a stray. Every owner has to pay this charge before they can be reunited with their pet.

Fees for reclaiming detained dogs

Any person reclaiming a lost dog/s must first contact the council in order to locate the dog as it may be held by a member of the public, at a vetinary surgery, a dog rescue centre or the council's nominated holding kennel.

Dogs that are held at the council's nominated holding kennels can only be claimed by prior appointment with the kennels.

The council's current collection charge is £40 during office hours, £60 out of hours, and £70 after midnight. 

Kennel fees are currently £10 + VAT per day or any part of a day.

When a dog is picked up, the local authority has a responsibility to look after it for up to seven days. After seven days if the animal has not been claimed the local authority becomes the legal owner and will make every effort to re-home the animal with a new owner. Any person who offers to re-home a dog will be asked to pay a fee.

The contact number for stray dogs is 01622 602117.