Stray Dog Solutions

Why provide Stray Dog Solution?

As a Local Authorities you have a mandatory responsibility to take into care found dogs that residents of the Authority have found. In addition the service supports Local Authority priorities of:

• Providing a clean and welcoming environment – Keeping streets, parks and open spaces clean for residents and visitors.
• Supporting neighbourhoods – Continuing to work with partners to improve community safety.

Our service provides authorised officers who carry out enforcement action in relation to dogs.​

A Local Authority has a statutory duty under s.149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to appoint an officer for dealing with stray dogs found in its area. We can handle the seizure, detention and rehoming of stray dogs.

There is no formal definition of a stray dog in law. A dog may reasonably be treated as a stray if it is roaming freely and not under the control of any person, irrespective of whether it has a home. This applies whether or not the dog wears a collar with identification or is microchipped.

In April 2008 the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 introduced additional duties for Local Authorities, we can provide an acceptance point for stray dogs inside and  outside of “normal office hours”  a duty previously carried out by the police.