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Stray Dogs

 

 

What is considered a stray dog?

A stray dog is any dog that is on the loose, unsupervised, on a road or designated area, whether or not it has an identification tag.

 

What do you do with strays?

 

Upon catching the dog, the first need will be to try and return the dog direct to its owner if the address of that dog is known. This may be identified by a collar/tag, required by law, or micro chip. If this cannot be done the dog will be put into the Council's kenneling facility. If the address of the owner is known but the owner cannot be contacted, then a letter will be left or sent advising them that the dog has been picked up.

 

If a dog is picked up for a second time it may not be returned direct but instead placed in the Council's kennels even if wearing identification.

 

Further action can be taken against owners of dogs which do not have a collar with identification on it.

Charges

Where a dog is found straying and an enforcement officer is required to collect and return a dog to its owner, a statutory fee of £25 will be charged.

 

Where a dog is impounded all applicable charges relating to the impounding must be paid.  This may include vets fees (if any), a statutory fee of £25 and a daily kennelling charge of £23.

 

Any dog not claimed within seven days will be found a new home.

 

The Police no longer accept and board stray dog brought to them by the general public.

 

A register of found dogs is kept by the Regulatory Services department.

Who should I contact if I find a dog?

  • During Office Hours

Please phone the Dog Control Officer on 01329 236100.  Please note we only deal with dogs found in the Fareham Borough.  If you find a dog somewhere else but live in Fareham, you should phone the dog warden for the area in which you found the dog.

 

  • Out of Office Hours

The Council provides an out of hours service for the collection of stray dogs.  We will only take dogs that have been found in Fareham and are in the care of the finder.  You should call 0800 374485 and leave your full contact details with the operator.

 

  • Out of Hours numbers for neighbouring Councils are:

Winchester          01962 865407

Gosport                07831 154145

Portsmouth          02392 834167

Eastleigh              02380 233344

 

Who should I contact if I have lost a dog?

 

If your dog is lost you should report it immediately to the Council during office hours on 01329 236100, or out of office hours call 0800 374485 and leave your full contact details with the operator. After 2200 hours however, you will not be able to access the dog return service.  You will be asked to contact 0800 374485 after 0900 the next day, if this occurs on a weekend or a Bank Holiday, or to contact the Dog Control Officer on 01329 236100 if the next day is a working day.

 

If we collect your dog outside office hours and have to impound it we may not be able to return it until the next working day.

 

What if I think my dog has been stolen?

You should report your stolen dog to the police and obtain a crime number.  Also report the theft to the Dog Control Officer who will give advice on any further action you may take.

 

Further information on stolen dogs can be found at www.doglost.co.uk (this is an external hyperlink).

 

Further Information  

Further information can be obtained from

 

For further information on dog related issues please email regulatory@fareham.gov.uk or telephone 01329 236100.

 

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