Dog Wardens - Strays and lost dogs
If you have found a stray dog in Wiltshire or have lost a dog please call us on 0300 4560107 (out of hours please follow the answer phone message to go through to our call centre).
There may be a wait but please stay on the line. You can also email us at dogs@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
The Control of Dogs order 1992 (opens new window) requires that all dogs in a public place must wear a collar and identification tag, including the name and address of the owner. From 10 June 2024 it will be compulsory for all dogs and cats to be microchipped (read legislation.gov.uk: The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 (opens new window)).
If you think a dog is being mistreated or neglected please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234999 or visit RSPCA (opens new window) for more advice.
Stray and lost dogs
A stray dog is any dog that is without an owner on public or private property where the dog has no right to be.
If you have found a stray dog, and it is safe to do so, first check to see if it has any identification showing the owners details. You may be able to make contact with owner and arrange for them to collect it from you. If it has no identification please contact us on 0300 456 0107 our office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Our wardens are unable to come out to roaming or unrestrained dogs. You must have the dog secured in a safe place for our wardens to come out to you.
Before calling please note down some details about the dog which you can relay to us over the phone, This helps us to make an accurate recording of the dog and will enable us to match the dog with its owner if it is reported as a lost dog. Please include details such as:
- the breed of the dog (if you are not sure, how big is it and what does it look like?)
- is the dog male or female?
- what colour is the dog?
- is the dog wearing a collar? If so what colour is it?
- has the dog got any distinguishing features? (e.g. any scars? A docked tail?)
- what condition is the dog in?
- where and when you found the dog?
We collect stray dogs between 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Any stray dogs reported after 4pm will be collected as soon as possible the next working day.
After receiving your report, a message will be sent to a warden who will contact you as soon as possible to confirm details and let you know their estimated arrival time. Only two wardens cover the whole county, so please be aware that it may take some time for them to travel to you.
Stray dogs may not be left at council offices, kennelling is not available.
Any collected strays are taken to our holding kennels where they receive any veterinary treatment or specialist care they may need. Our wardens will then post a picture of the dog and location it was found on Facebook: Public Protection Service - Wiltshire Council (opens new window) and DogLost (opens new window). By law the dog will be held for seven days while our wardens work to identify the owners using any microchip and through social media.
Our office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
We collect stray dogs between 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Any stray dogs reported after 4pm will be collected as soon as possible the next working day.
Our out of hours telephone number is 0300 456 0107 (weekends, public holidays and outside our weekday office hours). There may be a wait, but please stay on the line. It is important we are made aware of the stray dog.
If you are able to care for the dog over the out of hours period, please call the number above to let them know you have the dog. Please also let us know if you would be happy for your information to be shared with the owner, should they make contact. A warden will call you between 8.30am-9am the next working day to arrange to collect the dog.
If you are unable to care for the dog until the next working day, depending on the time of day or night, our out of hours will direct you to our holding kennels. If you are unable to transport the dog there or they are closed, we recommend you search for your nearest 24 hour Veterinary Practice. They may be able to hold on to the dog for our wardens to collect the next working day.
Veterinary Practices have no obligation to take in a stray dog and are within their legal rights to refuse when asked.
If you have lost your dog please contact us on 0300 456 0107. We will need a good description of the dog and where you lost it, as well as your contact information. It may also be worthwhile calling your local veterinary practices and animal rescue centres as these may be someone's first port of call when finding a dog.
A warden will call you as soon as possible on the next working day to confirm the details and if you have found your dog since reporting it lost.
Our wardens will post a picture of stray dogs they've collected, and the location it was found, on Facebook: Public Protection Service - Wiltshire Council (opens new window) and will also add to DogLost (opens new window).
To claim a dog that has been taken into our holding kennels, you will need to provide the following information:
- proof of ID - Drivers licence, passport or proof of age card
- proof of address - utility bill, bank statement or council tax bill dated in the last three months
- proof of ownership - Purchase/adoption papers, kennel club registration, pedigree certificate, pet passport, microchip or insurance paperwork
If a dog is not microchipped or has incorrect information on any identification, the owner will receive a 21-day improvement notice under legislation.gov.uk: The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 (opens new window). Failure to comply with this notice could lead to a court summons and a minimum £500 fine on conviction.
Before the dog is released, kennel fees must be paid (as below).
| Day | Stray fine | Admin Fee | Kennel charge inc. VAT | Total per dog* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £25 | £35 | £21 | £81 |
| 2 | £25 | £35 | £40 | £100 |
| 3 | £25 | £35 | £58 | £118 |
| 4 | £25 | £35 | £74 | £134 |
| 5 | £25 | £35 | £95 | £155 |
| 6 | £25 | £35 | £114 | £174 |
| 7 | £25 | £35 | £133 | £193 |
| 8 | £25 | £35 | £148 | £208 |
*plus any other relevant fees such as necessary veterinary expenses.
Payment for these fees, and any veterinary or relevant fees incurred while in our care, must be made in cash or by debit/credit card on collection. We cannot accept cheques.
Stray/lost dogs
Collection of stray dogs and trying to reunite them with their owners. Transporting unclaimed dogs to holding kennels, where they are looked after for seven days, by law, awaiting the owner to come forward. Wiltshire strays are not euthanised at this stage, we will always start the search for a new home for the dog.
Education
Dog Wardens visit schools throughout the county giving talks on responsible dog ownership, including health related issues.
Advice
We can advise members of the public on any dog related queries and dealing with complaints on issues such as dog fouling, dangerous dogs, straying dogs and irresponsible dog owners.
Enforcement
We enforce Dog Control Orders in Wiltshire alongside partner agencies such as police, parish councils and the RSPCA.
Home visits
For dog rescue organisations we can assess the suitability and surroundings of prospective dog re-homers.
XL Bully
Our wardens are unable to advise on your dog's exact breed. Please see our XL Bully owner information on our Dangerous dogs page.
Under the Control of Dogs order 1992 (opens new window) all dogs when out in public place must wear a collar with an identity tag displaying your name, address and an up-to-date contact number.
From 6 April 2016 it became compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped and registered on a national database. See GOV.UK: Get your dog or cat microchipped (opens new window).
Having a dog microchipped is a simple and quick process causing minimal stress to the animal. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted just underneath the skin between the shoulder blades via a needle. It's a process similar to a dog having its annual vaccination and once in place causes the dog no discomfort or pain. For information on how to get a dog microchipped, please contact your local veterinary surgery or dog charity.
It is a legal requirement for breeders to have puppies microchipped before they are sold at no earlier than eight weeks old.
It is a legal requirement that microchip details are kept up to date to ensure that a lost dog is reunited with the owner as soon as possible. To check or update microchip details, contact the database where the microchip is registered. If you don't know you can register your details at Pet Database (opens new window), which is completely free. If you need any help updating your animal microchip details, please email us at dogs@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
The council's Dog Wardens will issue an improvement notice to a dog owner whose dog is not microchipped or microchip details incorrect, giving them three weeks to comply. Failure in complying may lead to a court summons where a fine of up to £500 could be imposed.
If you are unsure if your dog is microchipped, your vet can scan the dog to check, implanting a new microchip or updating the details of the existing microchip if required.
We recognise that with the current cost of living crisis many owners are struggling to care for their pets. Our dog wardens have seen an increase in the number of dogs coming into their care with ongoing health issues.
The following links may help you if you are struggling to care for your pets at this time.
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