Stray Animals
For stray animals except dogs, please visit the RSPCA website for further details
Stray Dogs
Many people think of a stray dog as one without a home but this is not the case. A stray dog is any dog that is roaming freely and not under the control of any person, irrespective of whether it has a home or an identification tag.
Remember, all dogs must be kept under control at all times. This includes preventing them from being aggressive, straying, barking unnecessarily and continuously fouling in public areas and keeping them on a lead where appropriate. This is the responsibility of the owner, not the dog.
All dogs should wear a collar with a tag stating the owners name and address and it is an offence not to do so. Although microchips are a new and helpful source of ID (providing the details are up to date), these are not yet included under the Control of Dogs Order 1992.
Remember, if a dog becomes lost, it will be a lot easier for it to be reunited with its owner if the details are on a collar with tag. Further action can be taken against owners of dogs which do not have a collar with identification on it.
Free engraved discs are available upon request for residents of the Winchester district. Please email environment@winchester.gov.uk or call 01962 840222.
The Police no longer have any responsibilty for stray dogs so you must contact Winchester City Council between the hours of 08:30 - 16:30 Mondays to Fridays on 01962 840222. Outside of these hours Winchester City Council provides a drop off facility only, between 16:00 - 22:00 weekdays and 09:00 - 22:00 Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Please contact Coleus Kennels on 01730 827322. A location map can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
Upon catching the dog, the first need will be to try and return the dog direct to its owner, if the address or telephone number of the dog is known. This may be identified by a collar with tag or micro-chip. If the owner cannot be contacted or is not at home immediately, the dog will be taken to the Council's kennelling 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.
The majority of stray dogs are those which have escaped and the owners are desperate to find them. Occasionally dogs are dumped on the streets, the most likely reasons appear to be:
- Dogs are brought as presents for children, family and friends who are not fully committed to the animal in the first place.
- Parents give in to pester-power and buy their children a puppy. The children lose interest and the parents do not want the responsibility of looking after it.
- Buying a particular breed of dog without prior research. The dog/puppy may shed hair, smell, chase other pets, grow too big and become a handful, bark a lot, need a lot of exercise, be hyperactive or salivate excessively.
- Dogs develop 'incurable' behavioural problems. But with patience and professional help the majority of behavioural problems can be overcome in dogs.
- Dogs are often not fitted with any means of identification, making it difficult or impossible to trace the owners.
The Animal Welfare Officers can seize any stray dog and kennel it. The owner must then pay a fee before it can be reclaimed.
If a dog is not reclaimed after 7 clear days it is then re-homed to a dog rescue centre. The council does not normally re-home direct because it does not have the kennel space to take dogs back that may not settle in their new home. Also, we do not re-home in the area near to where the dog was originally found. The Council is not a re-homing centre. Dogs need to be assessed, have a suitable home checked accordingly and neutered to prevent further unwanted litters. Dogs are not put to sleep unless they are suffering from severe illness or too dangerous to rehome.
Stray Dog Fees
All applicable charges relating to the impounding must be paid before release of the dog. These may include any veterinary fees. These will be from the decision the Animal Welfare Officer makes if they believe the dog may be in distress, pain or injured themself in some way. Any dog not claimed within seven days will be re-homed to a rescue centre as soon as possible.
For a first offence when a dog has been picked up, when it has a current identification tag with correct details on and can be returned to the owner 'immediately', we may return the dog free of charge.
When a dog has been picked up previously, there is a statutory £25 fee, plus kennelling costs, if applicable.
Further information on the Acts:
The Environmental Protection (Stray Dogs) Regulation 1992
The Environmental Protection Act 1990- Part VIII
Collar and Tag
With few exceptions, every dog in a public place is required by law to have a collar and tag with details of the owner's name and address. These are legal requirements in addition to any microchip that the dog may have.
Found a Stray Dog?
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires the finder of a stray dog to return the dog to its owner or contact the local authority of the area in which the dog was found. If the finder fails to do this they will have committed an offence and would be liable to pay a fine. If the finder requests to keep the dog, they must supply the officer with his or her contact details which will be recorded.
The Police no longer have any responsibilty for stray dogs so you must contact Winchester City Council between the hours of 08:30 - 16:30 Mondays to Fridays on 01962 840222. Outside of these hours Winchester City Council provides a drop off facility only, between 16:00 - 22:00 weekdays and 09:00 - 22:00 Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Please contact Coleus Kennels on 01730 827322. A location map can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
After reporting it to the Council it is worth posting the details on the following websites so that any owners who are searching for their dogs can access this information.
Missing Pets Bureau
Lurcher Search UK
Doglost
Lost Dogs UK
Dog Pages
Pet Patrol
Animal Rescuers
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