§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions exist for local authorities to take up responsibility for stray dogs. [27300]
§ Mr. ClappisonUnder section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, districts and London boroughs have to seize, where practicable, dogs straying in their area. Where the owner can be traced, he must be given the opportunity to reclaim his dog within seven days. If he has not done so in this period, the local authority may sell, give away or destroy it.
Under section 150 of the 1990 Act, districts and London boroughs have to deal with stray dogs taken to them by members of the public. They can allow the finder to keep the dog or they can treat it as if it had been seized.
These provisions came into force on 1 April 1992.