Lost Dogs

What to do if you find a dog

Try and secure the dog either by a lead or piece of rope, or put it in a shed, garage or garden, until the dog warden can get there. Only try these things if the dog appears to be friendly. Never approach a dog if it is growling at you.

Monday to Friday - 8.45 am to 5pm - contact your local dog warden and inform them:

  • where and when you found the dog
  • a description of the dog
  • your name, telephone number and address

Evening, Weekends and Public Holidays - contact your local police station and inform them:

  • where and when you found the dog
  • a description of the dog
  • your name, telephone number and address

The Police will only accept dogs if taken to the Police Station. They will not uplift strays unless causing a nuisance on the road.

Remember - you have a legal obligation to report the finding of a stray dog.

What to do if you lose your dog

During office hours - contact your local dog warden and let them know:

  • the time and place your dog was lost
  • the dog's name and description
  • your name, address and telephone number

Outwith office hours - contact your local police station and let them know:

  • the time and place your dog was lost
  • the dog's name and description
  • your name, address and telephone number

What the wardens do when they find a dog

If the dog warden finds a dog (which has been reported missing) or if it is wearing a collar and identity tag, it will be returned home without charge, on the first occasion only.

All dogs are scanned to see if they have been microchipped. Dogs that are microchipped will be returned home without charge, on the first occasion only. This is dependent on the owner being at home, and capable of receiving the dog. If the owner is not at home it will be taken to the kennels and appropriate fees paid.

Dogs without identification are taken to a local kennel where they are kept for up to seven days. During this time, the owner can reclaim the dog, after payment of the appropriate fees.

At the end of seven days, dogs which have not been reclaimed are assessed for health and temperament and, based on that assessment, are either rehomed or humanely destroyed.

Dogs that are picked up by the dog warden on more than one occasion are automatically taken to kennels and the appropriate fees must be paid before the dog can be reclaimed.

When the owner claims their dog, and it has not been microchipped, they are issued with a voucher, after payment of appropriate fees. This voucher entitles them to a free microchip for their dog.

Remember - if your dog always wears a collar and name tag, it can easily be returned home.