LEGAL

Stray Dogs

A finder of a stray dog is obliged to forthwith return the dog to its owner or take it to the local authority. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.

If you have lost your dog you should notify the local authority and keep in regular contact with them.

If after 7 clear days the owner of a stray dog has not come forward then the Council may give the dog to someone else and the original owner's claim to the dog is likely to come to an end.

By law, when your dog is outside (except in limited circumstances) it is required to wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. If you fail to comply:-

1. You are committing a criminal offence, and
2. You are making it less likely that you will get your dog back if it strays

In addition to complying with this, we recommend that your dog is microchipped and/or tattooed.