/ Council Services

Stray Dogs

Dog straying is a huge problem throughout the council area. Each year we collect hundreds of stray dogs from our streets. It is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure that their dog is not allowed to stray. A stray dog is defined in The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 as:

any dog which is not on its owner’s property
not accompanied by a person

Thus it should be noted that if a dog is unaccompanied outside its owner’s property, for example in the street, it is straying.

It is recognised that dogs can easily wander off and become lost, or escape through doors and fences when no one is watching. The genuine loss of a dog can be a traumatic experience for both the owner and the pet. Unfortunately in the majority of cases, straying is due to irresponsible dog owners knowingly let their dogs out to self-exercise and toilet themselves. Stray dogs can be a hazard on the road. Many are killed or injured in road accidents. Dogs may scare people, especially children, cause a hazard to traffic, indiscriminately foul in public places and can on occasions attack people or livestock.

Stray dogs are lifted and impounded in the Council Dog Shelter at Pennyburn Industrial Estate, Pennyburn, Derry until their owners collect them. A dog owner whose dog strays may be issued with a fixed penalty notice or could be taken to court where the maximum fine is £200.00.

It is imperative that should you lose your dog that you contact the Dog Shelter in the first instance in case we have found your dog. Our Dog Wardens will gladly reunite you with your family pet. Alternatively if we do not have your dog we will take down details about your dog and should we find a dog matching your dogs description we will contact you.

How do I report a stray dog?

If you find a stray dog contact our Dog Warden Service and we will collect the dog. You may asked to provide the following information about the stray dog:

your contact details (name, address or telephone number)
a description of the dog, (its type, colour, size, approximate age)
the time and date when you found the dog
where you found the dog.

Please note that it is a criminal offence not to report a stray dog.

Reducing the number of stray dogs

Each year Derry City Council is faced with the unenviable task of humanely destroying healthy dogs that simply need a responsible owner. Every effort is being made to reduce the number of stray dogs through school and community education inititiatives, as well regular engagement with the media. Balanced enforcement is also used as a deterrant to dog owners who let their dog stray.

The most effective and humane way of reducing stray dog numbers in the long-term is to:

neuter: get your dog neutered to prevent unwanted litters. It also reduces the dogs desire to stray.
microchip your dog: microchipped dogs are reunited with their owners should they go missing.
tattooing: having your dog, when fully grown, tattooed on the inner thigh will help if it is lost or stolen.
licence your dog, so that it can be returned to you if it strays
tags – ensure your dog has an identification tag as well as it’s licence disc. The tag should contain the owner’s name, current address and telephone number.
take responsibility for your dog and don`t treat it as throwaway commodities.

Contact the Dog Warden service for more information