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Lost and Stray Dogs

Dog owners have a responsibility under the Animals Act 1971 to prevent their dogs from straying or causing injury or damage.

Local councils are legally responsible for taking in stray dogs under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  They must provide suitable kennels and dogs are kept for a minimum of seven days before the possibility of them being re-homed.

What to do if you find a stray dog

• Return the dog to the owner, if possible. There may be an address or telephone number on the collar or someone locally may know who owns the dog.
• If you cannot contact the owner, phone the Council's Dog Warden Service on 01277 312504 during office hours and give details of the dog and from where it can be collected.
• If the dog is running in the streets, report it to the Dog Warden who will look for it and try to catch it.

• The out of hours stray dog collection service is currently suspended until further notice.

  If you find a stray dog outside normal operating hours, Wallace Kennels may be able to accept the dog although they are unable to arrange collection. Please ensure that you contact them on their number 01277 821032 to make arrangements before transporting any animal.

Stray dog out of hours contact numbers for surrounding councils - If you find a stray dog outside the Borough or you have lost your dog elsewhere you will need to contact the Dog Warden at the relevant council:

• Basildon (includes Billericay) - 01268 286622
• Epping Forest (includes Ongar) - 01992 564398
• Harlow - 01279 446666
• Chelmsford (includes Margaretting and Writtle) - 01245 606511
• Thurrock (includes Bulphan) - 01375 372468
• Havering(includes Hornchurch, Harold Hill & Romford) - 01709 433999

What to do if you have lost your dog or cat

• Contact the Dog Warden Service on 01277 312504 and provide as much detail about the dog as possible - breed, colour, age, sex, distinguishing features, collar, tag, etc - and where and when it went missing.
• Contact Wallace Kennels on 01277 821032 to check whether the dog has been handed in by a member of the public.
• There are online services which may help you find your missing pet which are not associated with the Council - links to these organisations are below:

  UK National Missing Pets Register

  Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

  Animal Search UK

  Cats In The Bag

  Catchat

How to reclaim your dog if it has been found

• If your dog has been impounded by the Dog Warden, a charge will be made for its release, which will include a seizure fee and a kennelling fee.  Currently (1.1.11) the fees are £60 dog warden fee, plus £25 fine and a daily kennelling charge of £12.50.
• Payment of the fees and charges is required at the time of collection - either by cash or by cheque supported by a valid cheque guarantee card.  There is no facility at the Kennels for payment by credit/debit card.
• Dogs can be collected from Wallace Kennels, Clapgate Estate, Stondon Massey, Brentwood  CM15 0LH. 
• Telephone Wallace Kennels on 01277 821032 to check opening times and arrange collection.

As you can see, apart from the inconvenience and worry, it is potentially relatively expensive to allow your dog to stray.

What you can do to help

• Maintain fences and gates to stop your dog getting out.
• Train your dog so that it is under your control at all times.
• Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with your contact phone number and/or address.
• Get your dog chipped and registered via your local veterinary surgeon.