Reporting stray dogs, lost dogs, illegal puppy trading, dangerous or nuisance dogs, illegal dog breeding, illegal dog boarding, a pet shop selling dogs.

If you are concerned about any of the issues above or any other dog related issue please complete our general enquiry form providing as much information as you can to enable us to respond as quickly as possible.

What to do if you find a stray dog

If you find a stray dog between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday you should secure the dog then contact Customer Services (Tel 01902 551155) during normal working hours. A dog warden will be sent to collect the dog.

If you find a stray dog between 4pm and 8am, Monday to Friday and at any time on a weekend and bank holidays you should:

  • Secure the dog then contact Noah’s Ark Environmental Services (Tel 01733 740426). A dog warden will be sent to collect the dog; or
  • Take the dog to Sunnyside Kennels, Dark Lane, Coven, Nr. Wolverhampton, South Staffs, WV10 7PN (01902 790618). Please contact the kennels before you visit.

Stray dog collection service

Wolverhampton Council works in partnership with Noah's Ark Environmental Services Limited to provide a confined stray dog collection service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A stray dog can only be collected by the council services if the finder keeps the dog securely in their garden, house or otherwise under control or on a lead in a street or park or any other suitable location.

Under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it is an offence for a dog to stray in the street or other public places. Any dog that is seized by the council as a stray is scanned for a microchip and checked for tattoos and tags which may identify the owner.

Any collected stray dog is transported to kennels and held for up to seven days. If the dog is not claimed during this time it will be passed on to an authorised organisation who will assess the dog for rehoming. The owner, whether they claim back their dog or not, must pay a statutory fine of £25, a collection fee, kennelling fees and any other associated costs (i.e. the cost of any necessary veterinary treatment which the Council has incurred).

What to do if you have lost your dog?

Please contact Environmental Health providing as much information as you can to enable us to respond as quickly as possible.

We will add reports of lost dogs to our lost dog register and contact you if and when we believe we have found your dog

Where do stray dogs get taken?

If a stray dog has an identification tag or microchip we will attempt to get in touch with the owner prior to taking the animal into care.

All the dogs collected by the Dog Warden on behalf of the council are presently taken to the following kennels:

Sunnyside Kennels
Dark Lane
Coven
WV10 7PN

Dogs collected by the Dog Warden out of normal office hours will be taken to secure, undisclosed kennels on a short-term basis and transferred to Sunnyside Kennels on the next working day.  You will not be able to collect your dog until he/she has been transferred to Sunnyside Kennels.

Charges to claim a stray dog - April 2019 to March 2020

Anyone wishing to re-claim a stray dog from the kennels at Sunnyside will be required to pay £38 plus the daily kennelling fee of £12 per day and the cost of any necessary veterinary treatment. Dogs unclaimed after seven days will be re-homed. Owners wishing to reclaim a stray are only able to do so Monday to Friday during normal office hours (08.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.)

Advice

It is now a legal requirement for all dog owners to microchip their dog with correct and up to date details. Owners can be prosecuted if a stray dog is not microchipped or if the microchip details are not up to date. Owners should make sure at a minimum their dog has some form of identity on it at all times such as a collar and tag with a contact number on it. Owners who leave their dog in their gardens or outside should make sure the area the dog is kept in is secure to prevent escape or theft of the dog.

Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is enforced by the Council and West Midlands Police. The RSPCA investigates complaints on cruelty or neglect and can be contacted on 0300 1234 999. As an animal owner you are legally required to provide your animal with the 5 freedoms:

  • Freedom from hunger and thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
  • Freedom from discomfort - provide an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
  • Freedom from pain, injury or disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
  • Freedom to express normal behaviour - provide sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind
  • Freedom from fear and distress - provide conditions and care which avoid mental suffering

Contact the RSPCA

Dangerous dogs

The police enforce the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act it's illegal to own, breed, sell, give away or keep any of the following four breeds of dog without an exemption obtained from a court: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero.

Any dog is dangerously out of control if members of the public feel fearful or distressed for their safety or if the dog causes injury to anyone. The maximum penalty for these offences is two years imprisonment and/or a fine, the court can also place additional orders on the control of the dog which could result in the destruction of the dog.

For guidance regarding XL Bully dogs, please view XL Bully type dogs.

What to do if you have lost your dog?

Please complete our general enquiry form providing as much information as you can to enable us to respond as quickly as possible.

We will add reports of lost dogs to our lost dog register and contact you when we believe we have found your dog.

Report a lost / confined stray dog: Mon - Fri 9am-5pm on 01902 551155

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