Yesterday evening I was returning from a walk with my 2 dogs when we were 'joined' by a stray dog, a lovely Golden Retriever. He followed us to our front door (my 2 were screaming with fear - they're petrified of loose dogs that get too close !) and wouldn't leave. He had a collar on but no identification.
I quickly shoved mine inside the house, put a lead on 'Goldie' and walked him back towards the park to see if I could find his owner. No luck.

I rang the Council - they were closed. Rang the local rescue centre they said they weren't allowed to take strays. Rang the police - they advised me to take him to the local station. I did this but there was no-one manning the desk - they were all out investigating a burglary. I eventually found a policeman in the custody block around the back who took a few details and put the dog in the kennels. Fortunately he seemed a nice guy - he told me he recently had his own dog stolen ! He said if the dog was still unclaimed by the morning (today) he would be taken to a rescue centre (not the one I rang earlier). Does anyone know what will happen to him then ? A friend of mine wants to take him up to the Breed Rescue in Chorley but it's a long way from here and I feel that the owners should be given a bit longer to pick him up locally.

I know I'm preaching to the converted but if only people would make sure that their dog wore some kind of identity disc. It would make things SO much easier. If there had been a phone number or address I would have gladly held onto the dog or delivered him back to his owner. I've been around the village putting up posters so I'm hoping that he'll soon be claimed. But I can't help feeling that I should have done more, the thing is I'm not sure what !

Hi Joyce firstly the law states you must notify the police .I wouldnt worry too much especially if the dog looked well cared for his owner could be frantically looking for him,but if I were you I would check where the dog is keep ringing up the stray home and ring mrs robinson at chorley her rescue will take him if he isnt claimed.
The other alternative would have been to notify police and then taken him to rescue where he would be kept the required time then rehoused.
My Rescue rehomes labradors we have from time to time taken strays only a small percentage are claimed by the owners,in the stray kennel they only have 7 days in this area to be claimed then they are destroyed But!!! most stray kennels deal with rescue and will notify them if they need help.
Legally you have done the right thing I'm sure the dog will be claimed soon. Can you email me the details and Ill pass them on to Mrs Robinson to make absoloutly sure he is ok.

Rest assured you did all you could in the circumstances.no doubt the rescue centre that refused him was RSPCA. By law, when the local pound is closed a police station should take a stray dog, kennel it overnight and pass it to the dog warden next day. After seven days the dog is no longer the responsibility of the council. It is either sold, PTS or moved to another rehoming centre. Keep a check in the lost and found column of your local paper, I am sure as the dog did not seem to be suffering and was clean it must have an owner not far away. What area are you from , do you know your local dog pound? if you have time call into the police station and get them to record details of a found dog. If the dog is still there after a few days leave a reply on the board and I will contact you.

Whenever I find a stray, I take them straight to a vets to see if they are microchipped, then inform police, dog wardens, local kennels etc, ans always leave my details so I can be contacted in the worst instance

I'm sure all will be fine

Hayley

Thank you all for your replies - you've certainly helped to put my mind at rest. I have been ringing the Police Station all morning without success but a few minutes ago I got through and was told that the owner had just turned up to collect him. What a relief !! I can stop worrying about him now. :)

At least I now know the best thing to do with a stray dog (in over 20 years of owning dogs this is the first time I've been in this situation, amazing really).

Thanks again, I'm really grateful.

Joyce