I have found a lost dog
If you find a dog that you think is lost or a stray in the South Somerset area, you can report it to the Somerset Dog Warden Service, 01823 215013 or complete the found dog form below:
If you have found a lost dog use this form
If you live in South Somerset and find a stray in another council's area, eg if you’re on a day trip, don’t bring it back. Report it to the council for the area where you found it.
The Dogs Trust provide a wide range for helpful advice for dog owners.
Do not use this page to report cats, Environmental Services keep a register of lost and found cats.
-
What should I do?
Firstly, try and find out who owns the dog. You must make sure the dog really is a stray and that an owner is not nearby.
You should:
- look for contact information on the dog’s collar identity tag. Try to contact the owners and ask them to collect it.
- ask your neighbours if they recognise the dog
- take the dog to a vet to scan for an identity microchip—the vet can then contact the owner
- If you or the vet cannot contact the owners report it to the Somerset Dog Warden Service on 01823 215013 or complete the found dog form below
-
I cannot find the owner
If you cannot find the dog’s owner report it to the Somerset Dog Warden Service on 01823 215013 or complete the found dog form below
You will need to tell us:
- the dog’s breed
- the dog’s sex
- where and when you found the dog
-
What happens next?
If the dog’s owner has already contacted us, we will arrange the collection.
If the dog's owner has not contacted us, the Somerset Dog Warden Service collect the dog and take it to a kennel until the owner comes forward.
Owners must pay a fine plus costs and daily kennelling fees so they can get their dog back. They may also have to pay any vet’s fees if the dog has need urgent treatment.
The dog will stay in the kennels for seven clear days. The owner can reclaim it between 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm seven days a week with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday. If the dog is not claimed in that time, we take ownership and, in most cases, we’ll re-home the dog.
-
Laws and Regulations
We have a legal duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 section 149 to collect stray dogs and take them to kennels. This is the only legal duty the dog wardens have to provide. It is an offence under The Control of Dogs Order 1992 for a dog to be in a public place without a collar and tag bearing the name and address of its owners. By-laws relating to dog on leads and dog ban areas are clearly signed. You can ask the dog warden for details of all the by-laws.