Dog warden service

Owning a dog is a lifelong responsibility for the owner to ensure that the dog is not a hazard, a health risk, or a nuisance to other members of our society. 

Unfortunately we receive a lot of complaints each year on issues such as dog fouling and uncontrolled dogs. The following organisations can provide help:

• for issues of possible animal cruelty, contact the RSPCA
• if the dog is dangerous or has injured you, contact the Police.

What do I do if I find a stray dog?

Any person who finds a stray dog must do one of the following by law...

If you find a stray dog you must either:

• return the dog to its owner (if you know who the owner is).
• contact us and we will pick the dog up as soon as we can.

The dog will be kept at the kennels for seven days.

The Police no longer have responsibility for stray dogs and will not accept them on our behalf.

We only deal with dogs from the Derby area.  Please contact your local council if you live outside our area.

What do I do if I lose my dog?

If you lose your dog, please contact us, giving:

• your name, address, phone number
• details of the dog, including name, breed/description, colour, sex and any tag or microchip details.

You will also be asked for details of where you last saw your dog.

How do I get my dog back?

• If we have found your dog we will check the tag or microchip details and contact you
• If there are no owner's details, or if you cannot be contacted straightaway, the dog will be held by us
• If you contact us during this time, you will have to pay a release charge and we will make arrangements to return your dog.

How much does it cost to get my dog back?

Charges are based on the number of days your dog has been kept in kennels. You might also have to pay any vet charges.

Where do I pay?

Payment must be made to the kennels upon collection of your dog.

What if I cannot afford the charge, can I pay in installments?

No. The law states that all charges must be paid before the dog is released from the kennels.

What happens if I don't claim my dog within seven days?

We become the legal owners and, if suitable, we will send your dog to a rescue centre for re-homing.

What identification should my dog have?

The law says that all dogs, when on the street or in a public place, must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner written on a tag attached to it.

Remember, if we pick your dog up with no identification:

• you will have to pay for its return
• you could be prosecuted and a fine given.

Useful forms

• Dog warden service

Useful links

• Crowfoot Kennels – our kenneling provider
• RSPCA Website - information about animal cruelty issues
• Strayaid Website - General information about dog ownership and the law
• Dog and animal fouling advice
• Dog and animal fouling advice