Stray and lost dogs

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 normally deals with stray dogs that have been closely confined by the finder, for example tied up or secured in a garage, shed or other building. The council contractor will attempt to recover a dog that is running loose, but this is not always possible. The council contractor will always prioritise the visit to free roaming dogs if the location is close to a high risk premises such as a school. 

If the dog is causing a danger, such as running in traffic, you should contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8505 505.

Reporting a stray or lost dog

During our normal office hours if you find a stray dog, you can use the online form below to report it to us:

• report a stray dog.

We will require the following information in order to arrange collection of the dog:

• your name, address & a contact telephone number
• an address where the dog can be collected from (if different from above)
• a full description of the dog including details of any collar or tag
• the location and time that you found the dog.

If you have lost your dog you can also report it to us:

• report a lost dog.

We will require the following information in order to attempt to reunite you with your lost dog

• your name, address & a contact telephone number
• a full description of the dog including details of any collar or tag.
• chip number (if applicable)
• the location and time that you lost the dog.

Outside our normal office hours of Monday-Thursday 08.30-17.00 and Friday 08.30 - 16.30, if possible you should keep the dog until the next working day, when you can contact environmental health to arrange collection of the dog. 

If this is not possible, you can call the council's emergency number 01491 824033 to be put through to our call centre.  The call centre will notify the council's contracted dog warden who will contact you direct with regards to arranging collection.

What happens after I report a stray dog?

The council's contracted dog warden will collect the dog and it will be taken to kennels.  The dog will be kept in these kennels for seven days. If at the end of this period the dog has not been claimed, the kennels will try to re-home it.

Claiming your lost dog

If the council does have your dog, you will have to pay a reclaiming fee and any kenneling costs incurred, before the dog can be released.  You will also be asked to pay any costs incurred by the council should your dog required treatment by a vet.  You will not be entitled to collect your dog unless you have paid these fees first.   If the dog is not paid for and claimed before 16:00 on a Friday, the owner will be charged for the weekend's kennelling costs.

You can pay these fees using a debit or credit card by contacting Environmental Health during the council offices opening hours (Monday-Thursday 08.30-17.00 and Friday 08.30-16.30 hours).

You will be expected to collect your dog from the kennels, and directions will be given to you following receipt of payment.  The council shall give you a release number you will need to quote at the kennels to get your dog released.  Our kennels are open for collections from Monday to Friday between 09:00–12:00 and 13:00 –17:00 hours.

Please note, even if your dog has been chipped or is wearing a tag, it will be taken to our kennels and you will be required to pay the charges detailed above.  We will attempt to contact owners as soon as possible after the dog has arrived at the kennels, however the dog will not be releases until the fees have been paid to the council. 

Current fees & charges

Being a responsible dog owner - collars, identity tags and microchipping

Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, all dogs must wear a collar and identity tag in a public place. The tag must show the owner's name and address.

One of the best ways to ensure that it is reunited with you is to have it microchipped. A tiny microchip (the size of a grain of rice) is painlessly inserted in the skin at the back of the dog's neck. This has a unique code number which is entered onto a national PetLog computer database together with the owner's name and address. If the dog is found, a scanner is passed over the microchip and the owner can be identified.

You can get your dog microchipped at your local vets for a small fee.

Dangerous dogs

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for a dog owner, or person in charge of a dog, to allow their dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. If whilst out of control the dog injures any person this may constitute an aggravated offence.  The owner of the dog could then be prosecuted and the dog could potentially be destroyed.

If a dog is, or appears to be, dangerously out of control in a public place then contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8505 505 (the council does not have the powers to deal with dangerous dogs).