Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Stray dogs

The Council has a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with stray dogs found in its area.

Until April 2008, the Council was responsible for notifications of stray dogs it received during office hours, and outside these times the public could take strays to a police station.

Following a change in the law, the Council is now responsible for stray dogs at all times, and the police are no longer involved. Therefore stray dogs should not be taken to a police station.

What is a stray dog?

A stray dog is any dog straying on public or other land. It does not include a dog on its owners property, or on any other land where it has been allowed by the occupier or landowner. It will also not include any dog under the charge of its keeper, even if it is not on a lead. 

The Council can only deal with a stray dog that has been closely confined by the finder, for example tied up or secured in a garage, shed or other building. It is not practicable for the Council to try and deal with stray dogs running loose. If the dog is causing a danger, such as running in traffic, you should contact the police.

How do I report a stray dog?

If you have caught a stray dog in the Council's area, please telephone:

• 01235 520202 – the Council offices during 9am to 5pm, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and other days when the offices are closed
• 01235 524886 – the Council’s emergency number at other times.

If you found the dog in another Council's area, you should contact that Council instead.

If a stray dog has a tag with contact details on it, please try and contact the owner first before contacting the Council. The owner may be nearby and distressed at losing their dog, and want to get it back as soon as possible. This would minimise stress on the dog as well.

What service does the Council provide?

• During 9am to 5pm when the Council is open - The Council has a dog warden service which will collect the dog from you and take it to kennels. Normally they will set off within an hour of notification, but this can vary, particularly if they have more than one dog to deal with at the same time.
• When the Council is closed - The Vale Duty Officer will answer the emergency number above. They will take the details and pass them onto the contractor used by the Council. The contractor will contact you to arrange collection of the dog. This service is available from 9am to 10pm on days when the Council is closed. On days when the Council is open it is available from 5pm until 10pm. If you find a stray dog outside these hours please keep it until the service is available again or the Council offices open.

Can I keep a stray dog?

If you find a stray dog and wish to keep it, you must by law still inform the Council. The Council must check it considers you are a fit and proper person to keep the dog, and that you will feed and care for it. Legally you have to keep the dog for one month.

If I keep a stray, do I have to give it back if the owner turns up?

The Act does not deal with the civil law on ownership in this context. The finder has a duty to keep the dog for 28 days after taking possession of it, however they do not become the legal owner of the dog. If a person claiming to be the rightful owner of the dog – and can prove it – requests the return of the dog, then the finder may have to relinquish his custodianship. Disputes over ownership would be subject to the usual civil common law principles governing possession and title. Relinquishment might be required at any time.

What happens to the stray dog?

When the dog is collected, it will be first examined for a tag, tattoo or microchip that might help identify the owner. For a first-time stray, reasonable attempts will be made to contact the owner and re-unite them with their dog as soon as possible. However dogs without any identification, ones where an owner cannot be contacted, and persistent strays, will be taken to kennels.

The Council will keep a stray for seven days after the day it was collected. If necessary, first-aid veterinary treatment will be provided.

After this period, the Council is entitled to dispose of the dog. The Council has an arrangement with its kennels for re-homing unclaimed strays. A dog will normally only be destroyed under veterinary opinion that this should be done to avoid suffering.

What do I have to do if I think the Council has collected my dog as a stray?

Call the numbers above. However, please note that when the Council offices are closed, the emergency service may not have details of all strays collected. You may therefore be asked to call the Council offices when they are open to check.

If the Council does have your dog, you will have to pay charges as set out in the table below. You will not be entitled to get it back unless you pay these first. You can pay these at the Council offices during opening hours. You will be expected to collect your dog from the kennels, and directions will be given. You will need to show your receipt from the Council. Please note the kennels are approximately between half and one hours drive from Abingdon, depending on traffic.

Stray dog charges

The Council is entitled to charge all expenses reasonably incurred, which includes the following: 

The Council can only receive payment for these charges by cash or cheque.

Other dog issues

Dangerous dogs - Any concerns about dangerous dogs should be addressed to the police. This includes those breeds banned in law, such as pit bull terriers.

Dog welfare - Any concerns about dog welfare issues should be addressed to the RSPCA, concerns about cruelty can also be notified to the police.