Stray and lost dog service

Under the Clean Neighborhood and Environment Act 2005, local authorities have a sole statutory responsibility for stray dogs.  Harrow Councils Animal Services provides a 24/7 365 days a year dog warden service.  Mondays to Fridays between 9am to 5pm Harrow Council's Animal Services Officers will deal with any stray dog reported to them.  At all other times, Harrow Council's contractor will collect any confirmed stray dog reported to them.

This service is for stray dogs only. A dog becomes a stray when it does not have a person in charge of it and it is at large in a public place or a non public place where it is not permitted to be. For other animals, please contact the RSPCA.

The welfare of the dog is paramount and we ensure that all stray dogs found in the borough and brought into our care are treated humanely and are not subjected to any further pain or suffering, including stress. We adhere to the principles within the Animal Welfare Act 2006 namely:

• The need for a suitable environment
• The need for a suitable diet
• The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• The need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

All dogs picked up by our service will be thoroughly checked for identification in an attempt to return the dog to its owner. A picture of the stray dog is put on our website the same day and a found report is also filed with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

When an owner comes forward, the dog is returned with advice and guidance on preventing straying in the future and a recommendation/offer of micro chipping (if not already micro chipped) is made.

Where the owner cannot be found, stray dogs are sent to the Council's kennels for up to 7 days, during which time the owner has the opportunity to come forward to claim his/her dog. After 7 days, all unclaimed stray dogs will be transferred to either Battersea Dogs and Cats Home or another rescue charity for re-homing. Most strays are successfully re-homed unless the dog is a banned breed or if there is veterinary advice or a behavioral concern that would require them to be put to sleep humanely.

The Police are still responsible for dealing with situations such as dogs causing a hazard to traffic and dangerous dogs.

If you have lost a dog or cat, please call Battersea Lost Dogs and Cats Line, Monday to Sunday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

For more information and general advice about dogs, download our fact sheets:

Download fact sheet - Dog barking

Download fact sheet - Dog control

Download fact sheet - Dogs in cars during hot weather

Download fact sheet - Good owner, good dog

Download fact sheet - Responsible dog ownership

Download DEFRA leaflet - Is your dog barking too much?