STRAY DOGS
Stray Dogs
Who is responsible?
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 removed the responsibility for stray dogs with the exception of dangerous dogs, from the police and leaves local authorities with the sole responsibility for dealing with stray dogs from April 2008.
Horsham District Council is responsible for the recovery and kennelling of stray dogs found within its boundary.
Good practice for dog owners
- Make sure your dog has identification. By law, your dog should have a collar and identity tag. Micro-chips are useful if your dog is stolen or the collar is removed.
- With identification, the local authority or a member of the public can at least try and contact you or return your dog if it has strayed.
- You will need to remember to update the information if you change address or phone number.
- Keep your dog under control at all times. If out walking, keep it on a lead. If at home, keep gates locked, doors closed and check that fences and walls are secure.
How does the Council deal with stray dogs?
During office hours Horsham District Council provide a place to which a stray dog can be taken and a collection service where a report of a stray dog is made to the council and the dog is contained.
Outside office hours the council provides a place to which a stray dog can be taken and accepted into the council’s care.
If a stray dog has an identity tag, in the first instance, attempts will be made to return the dog to its home.
If a stray dog has no identity tag, it will be seized, kennelled and the owner has to pay the release fee before the dog is returned. On the first occasion the release fee is halved if the dog is micro-chipped and the owner can be traced.
How do I report a stray dog?
During office hours you can contact the Council and we can collect the dog (if it is from a known location).
If a stray dog is found out of office hours, and the finder is able to care for the dog until the next working day, contact Horsham District Council during office hours to arrange collection.
Alternatively Crawley Borough Council provides an out of hours reception where stray dogs that have been found in Horsham District Council area can be delivered.
To report a stray dog, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- Your contact details – name, address, telephone, email
- A description of the dog, for example it’s type, colour, size, age
- The time and date when you found the dog
- Where you found the dog
- Where the dog should be collected from
Tel: (office hours) 01403 215407
Tel: (out of office hours) 07831 553906
Claiming back a stray dog
Once a dog has been impounded as a stray at the kennels used by the Council, by law an owner has to pay the release fee before the dog is returned. Once you have indentified your dog, payment can then be made at the Council offices or at the kennels. On payment of the fee, the dog will then be released to you.
If a dog is unclaimed after seven clear days it is re-homed having first been micro-chipped and the dog is no longer the responsibility of the Council.
If you have lost your dog
If you have lost your dog, please report if to Horsham District Council by one of the methods below.
Tel: (office hours) 01403 215407
Tel: (out of office hours) 01403 215100
Email: publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk