Dog warden contact numbers  by area

Blackpool                                01253 477477 out of hours 01253 477600
Blackburn With Darwin  01254 585397
Burnley                                      01282 425011
Chorley                                     01257 515151
Fylde                                           01253 658658 
Hyndburn                                01254 380643
Lancaster                                 01524 582757
Pendle                                       01282 661743
Preston                                     01772 906161 
Ribble Valley                         01200 425111
Rossendale                             0161 3340042
South Ribble                         01772 625591/2
West Lancashire                 01695 585254
Wyre                                          01253 891000

Stray dogs

It is an offence for dog owners to let a dog stray, or roam in public places unaccompanied. A stray dog is one that is on its own in a public place. 

What if I find a stray dog?

By law, you must do one of the following:
 - Return the dog to its owner
 - Report the dog to  the council to handle
 - Keep the dog for yourself*
*If you would like to keep the dog, you must contact the  local dog warden who will explain the legal procedure for doing this (not following legal procedure is an offence).

What happens next?

Once collected, the stray dog is taken in to  kennels. The dog’s collar will be checked and the animal scanned  for a micro-chip to try and trace the owners details. If these are found, the dog warden will try to contact the owner to collect their dog.

Dogs are given a quick health check and  any minor injuries are treated. Dogs with serious health concerns will be seen by a vet.

What if the owner cannot be contacted?

Dogs that are not claimed by their owners are re-homed after 7 clear days of being impounded. Only dogs that have serious health or behavioural problems are put to sleep.