Animals and Pests

Stray dogs

A stray dog can be defined as one that is in a public place, not under the charge of its keeper. It is also any dog that is on land on which it has no right or permission to be. Even if you know where the dog lives, if the owner is not with the dog, then it is a stray.

Please note that the City of Lincoln Council cannot assist with re-homing your unwanted pets. In these circumstances, you may wish to seek assistance from the RSPCA or local re-homing charities.

Reporting and collecting stray/found dogs

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, we are legally responsible for taking in stray dogs during normal office hours. An officer from the Public Protection and Antisocial Behaviour (PPASB) Team will collect the dog between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4pm on Friday. 

If you find a dog outside of these hours, you will need to telephone us on 01522 534747 and retain the dog until the following working day. You should also consider taking it to a veterinary surgery to see whether it is microchipped.

If you decide to take personal responsibility for a stray dog you must, by law, do one of the following:

1. Return the dog to its owner (if the owner can be identified)
2. Await the collection of the dog by an officer
3. Retain the dog – you must contact the PPASB Team, who will arrange for you to sign an agreement to keep the dog for one month (if unclaimed by the owner)

You could be liable to a fine if you find a stray dog and keep it without the written permission of the local authority.

Dogs will be kept for a minimum of seven days, if not claimed by their owner.

Lost dogs

If you have lost your dog and live in Lincoln, you could inform the PPASB Team to see whether we have received any reports of the dog.

If your dog has not been found within 24 hours, then you should consider:

1. Phoning your local veterinary centre
2. Putting a post on social networking sites (for example, Facebook)
3. Registering your dog on Dog Lost (this is an internet-based dog registration scheme which actively helps you find your dog, it also informs you of other missing dogs in your area as they are reported missing)

If you don’t live in Lincoln

For lost dogs in any other part of the country, you need to phone your local district council (the council that you pay your council tax to).

Find your local council - GOV.UK

Costs for reclaiming your dog

You must pay a fine and expenses if you are collecting/reclaiming your dog after it has strayed. This is to cover the authority's expenses incurred by detaining your dog and possibly a kennelling fee.

* Plus VAT

You will need to contact the PPASB Team to find out the total amount due.

If you have any enquiries regarding stray or lost dogs, please contact the PPASB Team.