Seizure of stray dogs

Seized dogs register

Stray dogs

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 Section 68 has removed the requirement of the Police to accept and seize stray dogs. This duty was transferred in full to the Council on 6 April 2008.

However, the police have retained responsibility for dangerous dogs and dogs worrying livestock. This means that you are no longer able to hand in stray dogs to the police at your local station.

As required by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 149(8), we will keep a register of seized stray dogs, which will be available for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable times
We will provide and publicise a telephone contact where members of the public can report stray dogs
Within 2 hours of being informed during normal office hours (Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.45pm), we will try to collect stray dogs found by members of the public that day
We will investigate notifications of stray and roaming dogs. If we receive a notification during normal office hours (Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.45pm), we will try to visit the area within 1 hour and survey public areas within a 500-metre radius of the last sighting
We will collect stray dogs found by members of the public before that day, by appointment within 24 hours of being informed
Whenever practicable, we will seize and detain any dog that appears to be a stray in a public place
Where the dog is on land or in premises that is not a public place we will seize and detain it only with the consent of the owner/occupier of the land or premises
In an emergency we will collect and arrange boarding of dogs that require care as a consequence of sickness, accident or intervention, to support a vulnerable person, provided our costs are met in full. The owner or care agency will be required to provide written confirmation that our costs will be met