Lost or stray dogs in the Hambleton area

What to do if you find a stray dog

If you find a stray dog within the Hambleton area:

check to see if it is wearing an identification tag so that you can contact and return it directly to its owner – this is the quickest way to get the dog back to its home
if it doesn’t have a tag and you live close to a vet, ask the vet to scan the dog for a microchip which will have the details of the owner
report the dog to us and we will arrange for an officer to contact you

It is a criminal offence not to report a stray dog us.

We can only collect a stray dog that is under the control of the person who has found the dog. If a dog is reported as roaming near a school or play area then we will try to find the dog.

Please note that animal rescue centres cannot accept stray dogs directly off the streets. They only take dogs in that have been signed over by their rightful owner for rehoming. The Police no longer accept stray dogs.

Reporting a lost dog

You can report a lost or found dog to us online. If you have lost your dog please give as many details as possible including:

where the dog was last seen
description of the dog
collar, tag and microchip number
your contact details

Report a lost or found dog in the Hambleton area

To report a lost or found dog in the Hambleton area please complete our online form.

Report a lost or found dog in the Hambleton area

Alternatively you can contact us – during out of hours you will need to select the correct option on the answerphone.

Please note that we do not collect or release dogs out of hours.

Frequently asked questions

What happens to a stray dog?

We will contact the owners for those dogs that we pick up that are either wearing a collar and tag, or where we have managed to find the owner’s details by scanning for a microchip.

Dogs without identification or those dogs we have previously picked up, will be taken to kennels and kept for seven days.

All dogs can be reclaimed by their owner after they have paid an administration fee.

If a dog is not claimed after seven days, it will become our property and will be re-homed where possible.

How do I claim my dog?

Before we can return your dog to you, we must see proof of ownership and you will have to pay a release fee in full. This fee covers the cost of kennelling the dog and includes a prescribed fee which is made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Any veterinary fees incurred will also have to be paid.

The owner must pay:

a fee of £55.06 for the dog warden to return the dog
kennel fees to reclaim the dog sent to a kennel - £20.22 per day

Are stray dogs put to sleep?

A dog would only be put to sleep on veterinary advice to relieve suffering or if the dog was not suitable for re-homing due to its temperament.

We are not responsible for:

dogs whose owners have been taken into hospital or care
dogs belonging to prisoners/people detained by the Police
dogs of evicted tenants
rehoming unwanted dogs

Who deals with dangerous dogs?

It is a criminal offence for a person in charge of a dog to allow it to be dangerously out of control in a public place or on private property.

A dog does not have to bite to be viewed as dangerous in the eyes of the law. If the dog makes a person feel that the dog may injure them, the law still applies.

Dangerous dogs and dogs worrying livestock are dealt with by the Police – contact them by calling 101.

Who do I contact if I am concerned about the welfare of an animal?

We do not deal with animal welfare issues. If you have any concerns for the health and safety of domestic pets please visit the RSPCA’s website or call their cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 (open 8am – 7.30pm).