I wish to claim my dog

If your dog strays or roams free, our contractor can impound it as a stray under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A dog seized as a stray will be held in kennel facilities for at least seven days to give the owner time to come forward to collect their pet, after payment of the relevant fees. If the dog remains unclaimed after 7 days, ownership is officially transferred to the Council, and the dog can be rehomed. We have a duty of care to any stray dogs collected, and veterinary/animal health advice may be sought for any animal which is ill, distressed or presents a danger.

On behalf of the Council and in accordance with the law relating to stray dogs, Animal Wardens Ltd staff are authorised to charge dog owners for the return of their dogs, using a scale of fees agreed with the Council. In accordance with the law, stray dogs will not be returned to their owners unless the Council's reasonable costs for transportation, kennelling and veterinary/animal health type costs are paid in full in advance to Animal Wardens Ltd.

If your dog has been seized as a stray, our contractor won't return the dog to you until you've paid the following charges (which must be paid in full, not in instalments):

• A statutory fee of £25.00; plus
• A variable fee relating to kenneling, veterinary or other essential animal health costs, and transportation to and from kennels and an owners house. This variable fee should be no more than £35 per day
• If an owner requires the return of their dog other than between 12 noon and 7pm there will be an additional charge of £30.00

To claim your dog please contact Animal Wardens Ltd. directly on 01424 490034.