What to do if you find a stray dog

We are required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to pick up stray dogs reported to us.

We will respond by attending the premises where the dog is being held and attempt to locate the owner by checking for dog tags and microchips.

If we are unable to locate the owner, we will transport the dog to our nominated kennels. Any dog taken to the kennels will be held for seven days so that the owner can reclaim it and thereafter the legal ownership of the dog is transferred to Swindon Borough Council and we will arrange for it to be rehomed (if suitable for rehoming).

Any dog found in a public or private place where it should not be, and appears to be without its owner and not under the control of its owner or a person representing them, may be seized and detained as a stray dog by an appropriate person.

Report a stray dog

If you wish to report a stray dog, please call our contractor on 03444 828320.

The dog must be confined and under your control and not roaming free. Your call will be answered seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

Our contractor will require details from you including:

• your name and address
• your contact details
• the exact location of the dog
• the breed and colour of the dog
• the owner's details (if known)

Any dogs that are collected by us, will be taken to kennels. Every effort will be made to locate and notify the dog/s owner. 

When a dog is claimed, the owner is required to pay costs. This includes a statutory fee and other associated handling, administration and kennelling costs.

These fees must be paid before the dog can be reclaimed. To find out more, visit reclaiming a stray dog.

To report other missing or lost pets, see the missing and found pets webpage.