Stray and found dogs

Any dog found wandering unaccompanied in a public place is classed as a stray and will be dealt with by the dog wardens.
A dog that you have taken in and are caring for is classed as a found dog.

Strays are seized and detained at the kennels until the owner claims them.

After 7 days, the dog becomes the property of the kennels and can be re-homed.

Your assistance in reporting to us any stray dogs is vital to help us keep the area free from roaming dogs and to keep the streets and public areas safe, clean and hygienic.

If the dog is still straying the dog warden will attend between 9am and 4pm, wherever possible within 30 minutes of it being reported, to attempt to seize the dog.

The more detail you can provide when reporting this will help us to successfully collect the dog.

You will be asked for details such as:

where and when the dog was last seen
if it is still in the same location or what direction is it heading in.
the colour, size and breed
if you know who owns it or where it lives.

If the dog is still straying the dog warden will attend between 9am and 4pm, wherever possible within 30 minutes of it being reported, to attempt to seize the dog.

If you have found a stray dog and have taken it home and the dog is wearing a collar and tag giving details of the owner's name and address, you should return it to that person if possible.

If this is not possible, the dog warden will arrange to collect the stray dog at a time which is convenient to you. If it has been reported between 9am and 4pm, we will (wherever possible) collect it within 30 minutes. If reported between 4pm and 5pm, the dog will be collected the following working day. After 5pm you can email us and the dog warden will contact you early the next working day to arrange a convenient time for collection.

All stray dogs which are picked up within Blackburn and Darwen will be taken by Animal Wardens (Tel. 01254 492024).

Anyone wishing to collect their dog may do so during public opening times.

All fees must be paid before the return of the dog is arranged and ID will be required, stating proof of name and address.

Any dogs which are not collected by their owners will be re-homed.

Keeping a stray or found dog

If you wish to keep a stray dog you are legally required to notify the dog warden.

You will be asked to sign a form agreeing to keep the dog for a minimum of 1 month unless claimed by the original owner.

If, within this time you decide you no longer are able to keep the dog, it must be handed over to the dog warden.

You must not give the dog to family or friends because in the case of a dog being retained by the finder, the dog legally remains 'found property' and the original owner can reclaim it at any time. Therefore, the dog never truly becomes the property of the finder.

In all cases you will be asked to give relevant details such as where and when the dog was found, its size, colour, breed etc.

We will treat any information you give us in the strictest confidence.