Council Takes on Out-of-Hours Strays
Although the Council already employs an officer to deal with stray dogs during the weekdays, it has been a traditional obligation for local Police to deal with strays found during the evenings and at weekends.
However, from Sunday, April 6th this out-of-hours responsibility will be transferring to local councils - including East Staffordshire Borough Council.
If you see a dog running loose without an owner it is classed as a stray. Owners that allow their dogs to stray are committing an offence, and the Borough Council has an obligation to seize the dog.
If you see a dog without its owner you should report this to East Staffordshire Borough Council by telephoning 01283 508663 Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5.00pm, or 01283 517111 Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9.00pm and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 8.30am to 9.00pm.
Councillor Malcolm Barrett, Deputy Leader for Environment, explained: "If you are reporting a stray dog we will ask you if it is contained or safe and for a brief description of the dog. It may be that the dog has already been reported as lost and we may be able to pass this information to the dogs' owners.
"If you are able to safely approach the dog, and it has a readable identification disk with the owner's details you may wish to contact the owner yourself.
"If the dog has no tag you should seek our help. It would really help our Wardens if people can keep hold of the dog until the warden can attend. This ensures that the dog remains safe and provides every chance for us to find the owner."
If the Dog Wardens find a dog with no means of identification it is taken straight to the Council's kennelling agent.
On the first occasion of a dog straying the Council will attempt to return it to its owner and remind them that they must not let it stray. Dogs can't be returned if they have no identification, if no one is at home or if the wrong details are displayed on the tag/microchip.
If the same dog is found straying again, it is taken to the kennelling agent. The owner must then pay a fine and kennelling fees in order to reclaim their dog.
If a dog is not reclaimed after seven days the Council has the power to dispose of the dog. In the vast majority of circumstances unclaimed dogs are re-homed.
If you want to keep the dog you have found, you should contact the Environmental Health Service who can explain the legal procedure for doing this. However well meaning, you must remember it is illegal to keep a stray dog and not inform the Council that you have it in your possession.
The dog must be returned to the owner if the owner is identified within the first month, and finders may not sell the dog, or pass it to someone else for at least one month.
If you lose your dog, please contact East Staffordshire Borough Council by calling 01283 508663 and give us your contact details, a description of the dog, and information about where and when it was lost.
Council officers will check records to see if your dog has been reported as straying and they may be able to tell you where it has been seen so that you can check that area yourself or pass on details of a resident that is looking after the dog.
If a Warden has collected your dog they will try to contact you using the details on the dog's tag. If the dog has no tag, or if wardens are unable to speak to you, the dog will be taken to our kennelling agents - Lakeside Boarding Kennels, Northgate Lodge, Wychnor Park, Wychnor, Burton upon Trent. DE13 8BU, telephone 01283 790937. The Kennels are open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 9.00am to 12.00pm.
You will need to pay the appropriate fine and fees for its release.
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