What do I do if I see a stray dog in the Mid Suffolk Area?

You should immediately contact the council's Dog Warden Service.

What do I do if I find a stray dog in the Mid Suffolk Area?

If you have taken possession of a stray dog, the law requires you to either:

a) Return it to its owner (if the owner is known), or

b) Take it to a police station, or
c) Contact the Dog Warden Service on Tel 0845 606 6067, who will arrange collection of the dog.

What happens to the dogs collected by the council's Dog Warden?

They are transported in individual carrying cages to contracted boarding kennels.

They are boarded for a period of seven days, at the end of which, if the dog has not been claimed by their owner, they are either re-homed or humanely destroyed by a veterinary surgeon.

Under no circumstances are they disposed of for the purpose of vivisection or experimentation.

What do I do if I have lost my dog?

Contact your local police station and ring the Dog Warden, both parties keep a record of lost dogs. If you live near the "borders" of another district council, It would also be advantageous to ring them to report the loss.

How do I retrieve my dog if it has been collected by the Council's Dog Warden?

Having established that your dog has been collected by the council's Dog Warden and is being held at the boarding kennels, a letter authorising its release may be obtained from the council upon payment of the appropriate fee.

This authorisation, together with your receipt should then be presented at the kennels where, following payment of all kennelling fees, your dog will be returned to you.

How much will it cost me?

If your dog is micro-chipped or bears an identity disc stating name and address of owner, the Council will make an administration charge of £40.00. This is in addition to kennelling fees, which are paid directly to the boarding kennel's proprietor. If your dog is not micro-chipped, nor wearing an identity disc stating the owners name and address, the charge made by the Council will be £60.00.

Suppose I cannot get to the council office to pay the administration fee and receive the release form?

It may be possible for you to pay the council's fee at the boarding kennels. You should telephone the kennels prior to your visit and confirm that this arrangement is acceptable.

If I find a stray dog, can I keep it?

You must notify your local police station and the council's Dog Warden that you have found a dog. You may request to keep it and if, as a result of enquiries, it is considered appropriate, you may be able to care for the animal. Unless its owner subsequently reclaims it, you are legally required to keep any dog acquired in this fashion for a minimum period of one month.

What are the rules regarding the identification of dogs?

The provisions of the Control of Dogs Order require that, when in a public place, all dogs must wear a collar and a tag giving the name and address of the owner.

The council's policy relating to identification of dogs is to promote their micro-chipping service.

Contact details

To report a lost, found or stray dog: