Lost and Impounded Dogs

If your dog has wandered it's important to understand why and make changes to avoid this happening again in the future.

Some actions to consider include:

• Ensuring your fences are secure with no gaps or areas to dig under, and at a height your dog can't jump.
• Move things away from fences which may aid jumping.
• Keep gates and roller doors locked and provide enrichment activities to keep your dog entertained in your absence.

If this is a reoccurring problem you may need to consult with an animal behaviourist or your vet to determine the cause.

Every dog owner has a responsibility to ensure their dog is contained to their property and does not pose a nuisance or threat to people or other dogs or animals enjoying public spaces, as well as cause a hazard to road users.

Dog owners can be liable for their dog's actions if they are not properly secured. It is also an offence of section 43 of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for a dog to wander at large. Penalties apply.

If you find a dog wandering in the street or into your home, please contact Council so we can check our database and return the dog to its owner as soon as possible.

If our records do not match an owner, a Ranger will attend and collect the dog. The dog may have a microchip we can scan to identify who owns the dog.

If no owner is identified the dog will be impounded at our holding facility and cared for by our staff until the owner is located. If no owner is located, the dog will go through a re-homing process.

Our Rangers will respond to alerts of wandering dogs and, if an owner cannot be located immediately, the dog will be held in our containment area, which includes individual shelters, dog runs, beds and suitable dog food.

If you discover that your dog has been impounded, please contact our Ranger Services Team on (08) 8408 0400 between 8:30am and 5:00pm any day. Please note that weekend calls will be diverted to our after-hours service.

Our Rangers will arrange for you to collect your dog from the Coventry Library, 63 Mount Barker Road, Stirling.

To claim your dog:

• You must produce current identification
• Your dog's registration must be up-to-date
• All impound fees must be paid.

Expiations may also be issued.

There are currently no dogs impounded by Council, should your dog be missing please contact us on 8408 0400