Council's new responsibility for stray dogs

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

Dogs Trust fears new stray dog law will create hairy situations across England and Wales

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, fears a change in stray dog legislation will leave citizens barking mad with frustration. From April 2008 police in England and Wales will no longer take in stray dogs, leaving local councils with the sole responsibility of accepting lost or unwanted dogs.

The change put in place by section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 means that if you find a dog you can no longer simply take it to your local police station. Local authorities will have the responsibility of creating ‘acceptance points’ where you can take dogs – but Dogs Trust fears that vague wording in the guidance on the new law could lead to dangerous loopholes in the service.

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) says each local authority must provide at least one 24 hour acceptance point “where practicable”.

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director Chris Laurence explains the thorny issue:

“We are concerned that stray dogs may be left wandering the streets during times when dog wardens are not available, such as weekends.”

The problem lies with the wording of the new system due to take place in April:

 “Authorities must, where practicable, provide at least one point of acceptance to which dogs can be taken round the clock.”

With the use of the phrase ‘where practicable’ there is a risk that councils could claim that caring for every stray dog was not ‘practicable’.

So from April, what should you do if you find a stray dog?

• Contrary to popular belief, rehoming charities such as Dogs Trust cannot accept strays from members of public. Dogs can only be signed over by owners or brought in by dog wardens.

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, CEO of Dogs Trust, explains:

“Dogs Trust does not take in stray dogs directly from the public, however we do take them in from local authorities once they have completed their seven day statutory period in their care.

Sadly, many people are unaware that local authorities have the right to destroy a dog after seven days. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog and we help as many strays as we can.
This is a timely reminder to dog owners to make sure their dog is under control at all times.”

• If you find a stray dog it is your legal responsibility to reunite the dog with the owner, keep him until the dog warden can collect him, or take him yourself to the local acceptance point.
• If you find a dog with an ID tag, the simplest thing is to return him to his owner directly.
• If he has no ID, you must contact your local authority so that a report can be created and the dog can be collected.

And what if you lose your dog?

• The first and most obvious action is to do a search of the area where he went missing.
• Contact your local dog warden, vets and local authority to let them know your dog has gone missing.
• If he is microchipped or has an ID tag, inform the relevant companies.
• You can also try web-based organisations such as www.doglost.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors

An annual research report into the number of stray dogs in the UK is conducted each summer on behalf of Dogs Trust. For details on 2007’s figures, please see http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/press_office/pressreleases/2007/stray-dog-statistics.htm

For further press information, images or interview requests, please contact:
Krystyna McGrath    Sinead Scott-Lennon
Dogs Trust Press Office   Dogs Trust Press Office
020 7833 7616    020 7833 7650
krystyna.mcgrath@dogstrust.org.uk  sinead.scott-lennon@dogstrust.org.uk
07768 616 280    07768 616 280

Please contact the Dogs Trust Press Office for full stray dog survey results, images, filming requests, case studies, details of the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres across the UK and general information on dogs.

Dogs Trust has a non destruction policy and never destroys a healthy dog.

National Spokespeople include:
Clarissa Baldwin, OBE    Dogs Trust Chief Executive
Chris Laurence, MBE QVRM TD BVSc MRCVS Dogs Trust Veterinary Director
Elvira Meucci-Lyons     Dogs Trust Head of Campaigns

Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.