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Our dog wardens service carrys out the following duties:
- Responding to reports of stray dogs.
- Seizing dogs found to be straying in a public place.
- Where possible matching reported lost dogs with strays that we have seized.
- Enforcing the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
- Promoting responsible dog ownership.
- Dealing with injured and abandoned dogs in a public place such as on the street.
- Microchipping service (chargeable)
Click here to report dog fouling issues to us
You can contact us at:
Public Protection
PO Box 2452
Hanley Town Hall
Albion Street
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1XP
Opening Times:
- 8.45am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm via Stoke-on-Call for action the next working day.
From the 1st October 2010 there will be no out of hours service provided.
Tel: 01782 234234
Fax: 01782 236496
Email: PublicProtection@stoke.gov.uk
What to do if you find a stray dog
- Dogs can sometimes be unpredictable and you should not approach a stray dog unless you are sure it is safe to do so.
- We only provide a collection service between 8.45am and 4.30pm. Before taking in a stray dog you should be sure you can keep it until we are able to attend. This may be the next working day.
- If the dog is wearing a collar and tag with the owners name, address and phone number you may be able to return it straight to its owner.
- If you want to report a stray dog you have seen in a public place or in the street please contact us.
- Weekday Office hours- Contact the dog warden service on 01782 232055 and we will respond as soon as we can, however we may have other dogs waiting to be collected so please be patient.
- Note: From the 1st October 2010 there is no service available outside office hours. If you find a stray dog outside office hours contact the call centre and they will arrange for collection on the next working day.
- Don't take the dog directly to a rescue centre. They will only take dogs that have been signed over by their rightful owner or been passed to them from the dog warden (after holding them for seven days).
- The Police no longer have responsibilities for dealing with stray dogs unless they are a dangerous breed or causing a risk to public safety.
Can I keep the dog?
- You must report any stray dog you have found to us - so we can see if we can identify an owner. Many dogs are microchipped for this reason. If we take the dog to the kennels and no-one comes forward to reclaim it you can adopt it after 7 days. This way the dog will be legally yours.
- If you decide to keep the dog in your home instead, you must still let us know. (Otherwise it may be classed as theft). We will still need to visit to try and identify an owner but you could become the guardian of the dog. The Dog Warden will seize the dog and complete a guardian form which you will have to sign then you will be allowed to keep the dog at your home for the 7 day period instead of taking it to the contracted kennels. After the 7 day period the council can gift the dog to you. You will then have to keep the dog by law for 28 days from the date on the guardian form and not give it away or sell it to anyone else.If the rightful owner comes forward within the 7 days you must hand the dog over to them or to us.
What to do if you've lost your dog
- Dogs should not be out on their own in the street or other public place at any time. As a dog owner you are responsible for ensuring that the dog is kept under control and does not cause a nuisance or danger to other people.
- However, no matter how careful you are to make sure that your dog can’t wander off or get out, even the most obedient and well guarded dog can go missing sometimes.
- All being well, your dog will find his own way home, or will be returned by a kind member of the public.
Remember – by law your dog must wear a collar and tag with your name and address on it whenever he is out in public.
It is also a good idea to have your telephone number on it. You can also have your dog microchipped to permanently identify
your dog. Please remember to update the tag or microchip database details if you move house or any of the details change.
If you do lose your dog here are some things to try:
Contact us
- We will pick up stray dogs and take them to a holding kennel. We are responsible for stray dogs and so you should call us first.We do try and match any lost dog reports we receive with the strays we find.
- By law we have to hold onto a stray dog for seven days before he can be rehomed.
- Check out our found dogs page as we photograph any dogs that we find.
- You will have to pay the dog charge of £55 before you collect your dog and will need to bring ID and proof that you own the dog.
Kennels and Rehoming Centres
- Even if we have no record of your pet being handed in it may have been taken to the City Dogs Home in Brookhouse Lane Bucknall Tel:01782 304130. A member of the public may have taken your dog there directly.
- Contact any other kennels in the area, including boarding kennels.
- Contact all the rehoming centres in your area, such as Animal Lifeline, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross and National Animal Welfare Trust. You may also find that there are some small local sanctuaries. Look in your local phone directory under ‘Animal Welfare’ for contact details, or try your vet or library.
- If your dog is a pedigree, try local breeders. Contact the Kennel Club – 0870 6066750 for details of your local breed rescue group.
Veterinary surgeries
- Phone around all of the veterinary surgeries in your area. Sadly, your dog may have been involved in a traffic accident and been taken to the vet for treatment.
Noticeboards and Registers
- Occasionally a member of the public will take in a stray pet and look after it until the owner is found. It's worth checking the following to see if anyone is searching for the owner of a dog that fits your pet's description:
* local supermarket noticeboards;
* shops;
* libraries;
* local newspapers; and
* other public noticeboards
- Ask if you can put notices up in these places – a colour poster is best, with an up-to-date photograph of your dog.
- Consider registering your dog with a national lost dog database, such as Petsearch UK (01225 705175) or www.doglost.co.uk (01909 733366).
Local areas and buildings
- Visit places where you usually walk your dog – he may have just decided to walk himself.
- Look around your local area and if you have moved house recently, ask around at your last address – it is surprising how far dogs have been known to travel.
- If there are any building sites or workmen in your area, ask around in case your dog has become trapped somewhere on site.