The Environmental Protection (Stray Dogs) Regulations 1992

Procedure where finder desires to keep a stray dog

4.—(1) This regulation prescribes the procedure to be followed by the officer for the purposes of section 150(2)(a) before a finder desiring to keep a stray dog is allowed to remove it.

(2) The officer shall make a clear and accurate record of the following matters in a permanent form suitable for reference purposes—

(a) a brief description of the dog, including its breed (if known), and any distinctive physical characteristics or markings, tattoos or scars;

(b) any information which is recorded on a tag or collar worn by, or which is otherwise carried by, the dog;

(c) the date, time and place of the finding of the dog; and

(d) the name and address of the finder.

(3) Where the owner of the dog can be identified and can readily be contacted, the officer shall make reasonable attempts to contact him, and, if appropriate in the circumstances of the case, afford him forthwith a reasonable opportunity to collect the dog.

(4) The officer shall make all such enquiries as he considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case to ascertain that the finder is a fit and proper person to keep the dog, and that he is able to feed and care for it.

(5) The officer shall inform the finder both verbally and in writing that the finder is obliged under section 150(3) to keep the dog (if unclaimed by the owner) for not less than one month, and that failure to comply with that obligation is a criminal offence.