All change for lost dogs (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

All change for lost dogs

11:31am Monday 12th May 2008

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PEOPLE who find or lose a dog should now contact their local authority, not the police.

District and borough councils have taken over responsibility for stray dogs from the police. Wyre Forest District Council residents should telephone the Customer Service Centre at the Worcestershire Hub on 01562 732928 during office hours, or ring 01562 850053 out of hours.

“We are asking people to please not bring stray dogs to the police station – we do not have any facilities to look after them – and not to telephone us to report lost or found dogs."

Tony Bowkett, supervisor of north Worcestershire police division’s public service desk

Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council residents should telephone 07799 887536 during office hours.

Out of hours, Bromsgrove residents should ring 01527 873232 or 01527 871565 and Redditch residents should ring 01527 67666.

Tony Bowkett, supervisor of north Worcestershire police division's public service desk, said: "We are asking people to please not bring stray dogs to the police station - we do not have any facilities to look after them - and not to telephone us to report lost or found dogs.

"Arrangements may vary slightly among the local councils, but usually they will arrange for dogs to be cared for at kennels or by an animal charity for seven days, after which they may try to re-home them.

"Our advice to people who have lost a dog is to contact their local authority dog warden on the next available working day.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to remind owners of the importance of having their pet micro chipped and of having an identification tag on their collar, which makes it much easier to reunite them."

The police will, however, continue to take details of dogs which have been stolen.

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