Stray Dogs and Dog Warden

If you find a straying dog, the law says you must either:

  • Return the dog to its owner if it is safe and you are able to do so and the dog can be identified by an ID tag.
  • Contact us and we will arrange collection of the dog. 

We provide a stray dog collection service Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. To report a lost or found dog please contact 01706 217777 Option 3.

Our stray dog collection service will respond to reports of stray dogs within 2 hours of a report (Monday to Friday 9am to 4.15pm).

On any weekday from 9am to 10pm, on weekends and bank holidays 10am to 4pm, stray dogs can be taken directly to Aspen Valley Kennels, Lower Aspen Lane, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 4NY if it is safe and you are able to do so. The Kennels must be contacted in advance on 01254 233702 to check that they have the space available. Anyone who finds a stray dog outside these hours, should contact the nearest police station.

It is the responsibility of all dog owners to keep their dogs under control at all times and not allow them to stray. 

Any dogs found to be straying may be taken to Aspen Valley Kennels and owners will have to pay a fee for the return of the dog. If the dog is collected from the kennels the fee will be £48 for the first day and £8.50 for each day thereafter.  A minimum of one day’s fees will be payable for the return of a dog. The fee includes a Government prescribed fee, the cost of providing dog warden and kenneling services.

Dogs taken to the kennels can only be reclaimed by prior agreement and between 10am - 5pm weekdays and 10am - 4pm weekends and bank holidays.

If you are an owner with a missing dog, you can see if your dog has been taken to Aspen Valley Kennels by visiting Rescue Central.

Please note dangerous dogs, dogs suspected as having been stolen, dogs involved in road traffic accidents, dogs relating to persons being detained, dogs left by someone who has died and dogs involved in the scene of a crime are all dealt with by Lancashire Police. To report an incident or concern, please contact the non-emergency number 101 (or 999 in an emergency).