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Dog warden service

The Dog Warden will help you if you lose your dog, and aims to help prevent stray dogs from being a danger in traffic or a nuisance to people.

In particular, the service aims to deal with the following issues:-

• Straying Dogs
• Dog Fouling
• Responsible dog ownership
• Micro-chipping and neutering schemes

When a dog is caught straying, the dog warden will normally try to trace the owners and return it. But we can only do this if the dog is wearing a tag or is micro-chipped.

Any other strays will be kept safely for up to seven clear days at the stray dog kennels. Owners can re-claim their dog on payment of the appropriate fees. If you do not collect your dog within seven days, you will lose the right to re-claim it. As part of a pilot project, the dogs are then donated to the kennels and will be available for re-homing to residents who can provide a good home.

Any complaint regarding dogs straying on school premises or interfering with the flow of traffic will be dealt with urgently.

All complaints about dogs will be responded to as quickly as possible, but always within 2 working days. The Dog Warden will act in the strictest confidence and keep you informed about what is happening.

If you lose your dog please contact the Dog Warden service, the Police or the Stray Dog Kennels directly on 0191 3780439.

If anyone finds a stray dog and wishes to keep it themselves, they may retain the dog, but are under a duty to notify the appropriate authorities, and must keep the dog for at least one month during which time the owner can re-claim their dog.

Some complaints cannot be dealt with by the Dog Warden:-

• Animal welfare issues
• Dangerous or aggressive dogs

These should be directed to the appropriate agency (e.g. the Police or RSPCA).

The Dog Warden will ensure the Council's legal duties are met, so far as dogs are concerned, and put up anti-dog fouling stickers where needed.

If you have any questions or complaints, please contact the Dog Warden.

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Other pages you may find useful

• Animals - stray (PID 575)