Stray dogs

Roaming Rover

Any dog out on its own, whether or not it is wearing an identification disc, is classed as stray under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Any such dog may be picked up by the Animal Warden Service.

Reclaiming Rover

If the owner can be traced, they may reclaim the dog directly from the Dog Warden after paying a charge of £33 at the Council's cash office.

Impounded dogs are taken to Battersea Dogs' Home where they are held for seven days before being sold or destroyed. Anyone reclaiming a stray dog has to pay a fee to the Dogs' Home in addition to the £33 payable to the council.

Reporting Rover

Anyone wishing to report a stray dog out on its own in Tower Hamlets between 9am and 5pm should call 020 7364 5008. The report will be passed to a dog warden who will try to attend the location immediately to pick up the dog. Anyone finding a dog, even if they wish to keep it, should report it to the dog warden service on the same number.

Since April 2008 the finder of a stray dog can no longer hand the dog in at a police station. Accepting found dogs is now the council’s responsibility.  Any resident of Tower Hamlets who finds a stray dog in the borough and wishes to bring it to the Animal Warden Service out of office hours - that's after 5 pm Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends - should telephone 0207 364 7070. 

Report a lost animal web form.

Contact us:

Environmental Health
Environmental Protection
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 6839
Out of Office hours tel: 020 7364 7070
Fax: 020 7364 6831
Email: environmentalhealth@towerhamlets.gov.uk