Missing or found dogs

We have a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (s149) to collect stray dogs that have already been contained.

All dogs are required by law to wear a collar (with the name and address of the owner on it) if they are in a public space or highway. Find out about the latest laws on dogs and microchipping.

Tell us your dog is missing

Report your missing dog using our online form.

Reports submitted outside our normal working hours will be reviewed when the service next opens.

If we find your dog, you will have seven days to reclaim it. Relevant collection, kennelling and other costs must be paid before the dog is released.

To contact us out of office hours call 0800 111 4484.

Report a stray dog you have found

If you find a stray dog and it is safe to contain it, report it using our online form.

By law, anyone who takes possession of a stray dog must either:

• return it to its owner, if the owner is known; or
• report it to the council.

If you take possession of a stray dog and do not return it to its owner or notify the council, you may be prosecuted and could receive a fine of up to £500.

Please be prepared to keep the dog temporarily.

We cannot guarantee an immediate collection. If you contain a stray dog, you may need to keep it somewhere safe until an officer is available to collect it. This could be for up to two working days.

Only contain a dog if you can do so safely and are able to look after it temporarily. Do not approach or attempt to contain a dog that is behaving aggressively.

Outside council working hours, a contained stray dog may be taken directly to Appledown Kennels in Dunstable. Please check the kennels’ admission arrangements before travelling.

Dangerous or aggressive dogs presenting an immediate risk to the public should be reported to the police.

If we find your dog

If we find your dog you will have seven days to claim it. When dogs are not claimed we will try to find them a new home. If this is not possible either in the interest of the health of dog or the safety to the public, the dog may have to be put to sleep. 

We will make reasonable efforts to reunite micro-chipped dogs or dogs wearing collars with tags (details must be up-to-date) with their owners, before taking them to the kennels.

There are charges to return your dog, these are (correct as of April 2026):

• Collection/release fee for dog with collar & tag (with correct details): £35.00.
• Collection/release fee for dog without collar & tag (or one which has become stray three times or more) : £49.00.
• Dog collected by Warden and transferred to kennels: £105.00.
• Kennel fee per day: £22.00.
• Any other expenses incurred by the Council related to its detention, for example, vet fees. These will be calculated on an individual basis.

All fees must be paid before a dog is released.

The dog warden will arrange with you to collect your dog during office hours.

If you find a stray dog

By law you must:

• return the dog to its owner if you know who it is
• or contact the council 

If you do not do this you may be fined.

You may need to keep the dog until it is practical for us to collect it. This could be up to 2 working days.