Dog Warden Services
Please note that we do not have a Dog Warden service available 24 hours a day.
Stray Dogs
What if I find a stray?
If you have found a dog you believe to be a stray you should complete our online form report a stray dog form. You will need to tell us as much as you can about the dog:
- Where and when you found it
- Breed
- Colour
- Sex
- Distinguishing Marks
You will also need to provide your name and contact number so that a member of the dog warden team can contact you.
If you are unable to complete the form online please call us on 01233 331111
You can read the Council Stray Dogs Policy here
What we will do?
The dog warden collects contained stray dogs within the borough Monday -Friday 8.30am-4.00pm excluding bank holidays. These dogs are then taken to the council's nominated kennel. The dog warden will then make all reasonable efforts to locate and contact the legal owner of the dog. If the dog is not collected within seven full days from the time they arrive at the kennels. The Dog will be made available for rehoming.
How do I get my dog back?
If your dog has been seized by our officers as a stray and placed in kennels we will need details of where and when the dog was lost. We will require proof of ownership/keepership that can include the following:
- Vaccination certificates
- Written confirmation from a vet registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- Pedigree certification
- Receipt of purchase from a licensed breeder
- Pet insurance certificate
- Microchip certificate
- Vet bills or records
Please note that if inadequate proof is produced, the dog will not be released - this is to protect the dog and the legal keeper of the dog.
If we are satisfied that you are the owner, you will be notified of the stray dog's fees that must be paid in full before the dog can returned to you.
Should any veterinary costs be incurred whilst the dog is in our care, you will also be required to pay these in full.
Lost Dogs
What do I do if I have lost my dog?
If you have lost a dog please report this via our online form report a lost or found dog online.
You will need to tell us as much as you can about the dog:
- Where and when you lost it
- Breed
- Colour
- Sex
- Distinguishing Marks
- Microchip details
If you are unable to complete the online form please call us on 01233 331111.
You can also register your lost or stolen dog with Dog Lost
What we will do?
We will check our records to see if a dog matching the description has been collected by us.
If your dog is found in the borough and taken to our nominated kennels, it will only be released to you if we are satisfied that you are the owner. You will also have to pay the required fees.
Dog Fouling
Dog owners are expected to carry a sufficient amount of plastic bags to pick up dog waste. Failure to pick up your dog waste can result in a fine or even prosecution.
You can dispose of dog waste in any street litter bin, or you can take the waste home for disposal in your household refuse bin. Please be aware that we are removing dog bins across the borough – these will be replaced with a street litter bin if there are no other bins close by and there is adequate space.
Dangerous Dogs
It is an offence to:
- allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place
- allow a dog to be dangerously out of control within private property
Any dog is dangerously out of control if:
- it injures a person; or
- it behaves in a way that makes a person worried that it might injure them.
If your dog injures another person's animal, or an owner of an animal reasonably believes that they could be injured if they intervened to protect their animal from your dog, then an offence may be committed.
if you have suffered injuries as a result of an incident involving a dog, were in fear of suffering from an injury, or you believe a dog to have been dangerously out of control, please contact Kent Police to report the incident by telephoning 101. If the police advise you to contact us, please refer to The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and ask them to deal with your report. If there is an immediate risk of harm or your life is in danger, call 999.
Police deal with:
- Dangerous dogs (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991);
- Dogs attacks on humans in cases where skin is broken and the dog attacked the human directly;
- Dogs straying onto the motorway;
- Reports of illegal breeds (XL Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro).
If you see an XL Bully without a muzzle or lead in public after 31 December 2023, please report this to the police. For guidance on XL Bully breed type, please refer to the guidance provided by DEFRA.
Dog on dog attacks are a civil matter. However, in certain circumstances we will intervene to ensure the offending dog owner is reminded of their responsibility. We will make sure the dog is not out of control. Once the report is received, action is taken depending on the circumstances. Report a dog on animal attack using our online form.
