What should I do if I find a dog?
If you cannot find the owner, report it to the Dog Warden. During normal office hours, the dog warden may be able to collect the dog from you. Outside office hours you may take the dog to the main police HQ or wait until the Dog Warden is next on duty. The dog warden is usually on duty between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Contact 01270 537812

If you wish to keep the dog, you must sign to say you will keep the dog for one month, during which time the original owner may claim it back. If the dog is handed over to the dog warden, the local authority can dispose of the dog (re-homing etc.) after seven clear days. These dogs remain in local authority approved kennels until claimed or re-homed.

 

Report it to the dog warden (see above) at the earliest opportunity giving a full description. It is helpful to inform them if the dog is found. Notices in shops and ads in the local press are also advisable if a dog is missing for more than a few days.

 

Stray dogs collected from a member of the public or found by the dog warden, will be taken to the kennels where a release fee plus kenneling charges will be made. This can only be avoided if the dog is wearing an identity tag clearly identifying the owner’s address or is micro chipped. In such cases the dog will be returned to the owner free of charge on the first occasion only. A charge for any subsequent returns will be made.

• Owners who claim their dogs from the kennels will be charged £66.00
• Dogs returned by the warden will have no charge for the first occasion but any subsequent returns will be charged at £66.00
• Dogs wearing an identity tag or micro chipped, but the owner cannot be contacted will be taken to the kennels.

 

Should I microchip my dog?
Microchipping is a permanent way of identifying any animal and is useful should your dog escape from your home without his collar and tag on. Contact your vet for further advice. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that your dog must still wear a collar and tag bearing your name and address when in a public place. Most vets and dog wardens carry scanners to check for microchips.

 

Why does my dog still need a collar and tag if he's microchipped?
This is currently a requirement of law and you can be fined quite heavily for allowing your dog to be in a public place without a tag bearing your name and address. It is also worth noting that a straying dog with such information on its collar is normally returned directly to the owner saving the expense of claiming the dog back from local authority approved kennels.

 

Does the Dog Warden deal with cats?
The Dog Warden Service only deals with dogs. Cats are free to roam where they wish and they are not subject to any controls when doing so.

 

How can I contact the RSPCA?
The RSPCA can be contacted on their help line: 08705 555999.

The local RSPCA can be contacted at: Wildlife Centre, London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7JW. Telephone Number 01270 620196

 

Can we have some 'no dog fouling' signs please?
There are already many "no dog fouling" signs throughout the Borough and we have to be careful about not creating eyesores from excessive signage. It also appears to be the case that few people take notice of the signs in the long term. Nevertheless, the Community Wardens can arrange for signs to be erected in your neighbourhood, particularly if fouling is occurring frequently. To arrange this you can contact the Community Wardens on 01270 254474

email: communitywardens@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

 

Why are there no dog bins?
There are already a large number of litter bins available throughout the Borough and these can be used to accept dog fouling wrapped in a plastic bag or contained in a conventional 'pooper-scooper'. Separate dog fouling bins have to be bought and cost more to empty. If more bins are to be bought it is better to provide additional litter bins which can accept both dog fouling and litter. We want to send out a clear message that dog waste should be cleaned up and put in any litter bin or taken home.