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The law defines a stray as a dog which is in a public place and not under the charge of a keeper.

An authorised officer has the right to uplift any dog they suspect is a stray under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in order to protect public safety and health. Our dog wardens will uplift any dog of any breed found straying in East Ayrshire.

Uplift procedures

Stray dogs uplifted in the East Ayrshire area are housed at a licensed partner kennel. If your dog needs to be retrieved from the kennel we will share details with you directly.

Dogs in our care

We keep dogs impounded for a minimum of seven days, during which period they may be reclaimed by the owner on payment of a fine (currently £25) plus any kennelling fees accrued. 

If the animal remains unclaimed after that period, then we will attempt to rehome it. Regrettably, any dogs which are unclaimed and not successfully rehomed may require to be humanely destroyed. 

Wherever possible we will avoid having to destroy a dog unless it has behavioural problems which would make it difficult to rehome, or if so ill that there is little or no possibility of recovery.

Any complaints or enquiries regarding stray dogs should be made in the first instance to the Environmental Health Service using the details below.

Dog control notices 

If a dog has not been kept under control effectively and consistently or its behaviour causes someone to fear for their own safety or that of another person or animal, we may issue a Dog Control Notice under The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010

Please note that any attacks on persons are considered to be a police matter per agreed protocol. Bites or attacks on a person should therefore be reported to Police Scotland

Examples of an out of control dog include:

  • the dog's behaviour causes alarm and fear
  • it is left alone in public places or left to stray
  • it does not come back when called by owner
  • it nips or bites a person for any reason
  • it is not put on a lead or kept under close control around sheep

Please note that we would require independent witness statements to the same alleged incident which we will assess to see what, if any action, is appropriate

We also need the name and address of the owner and description of the dog.

Contact us using the contact information below if you need help with a dog control issue.

Information about XL Bully dogs

The Police are authorised to deal with XL Bully dogs, and other listed breeds, in terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Environmental Health have no such authorisations in terms of this legislation and have no remit in the restrictions in place for such breeds under the Act. Restrictions in place for this breed under the Act include registration, muzzling and walking on a lead.

Please contact Police Scotland if you have any issues with a dog not being kept as per the restrictions of the breed.

Contact Information

Environmental Health - Regulatory Services
Telephone: 01563 576790