Report a stray dog

What is a stray dog

A dog is straying if it is unsupervised in a public place, or any private area without the owner's consent.

If you let your dog stray, you may be fined.

Report a stray dog 

To report a stray dog during office hours call 020 8314 2098.

Outside of office hours call 020 8314 6000 and our switchboard operators will redirect you.

Report a dangerous dog

If you see a dangerous dog please contact the police.

The police don't deal with stray dogs but they do deal with stolen dogs. Report a stolen dog to your local police station.

Keeping stray dogs

If you find a stray dog and want to keep it, you should tell us, your local police station and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

We will need to visit your home to check your suitability to care for the dog.

You must keep the dog for a period of one month. After that time you can give the dog away or keep it. The dog will not be legally yours, and if an owner comes forward after this period they may still have a right to claim it.

If the owner of the dog is looking for it, and has registered it missing, we will tell them that the dog has been found and contact you to discuss next steps.