Lost dogs have had their day in Bristol

Dog owners should make sure their pet pooch carries ID, is the message from Bristol’s council dog wardens.

The team of three wardens pick up 900 stray dogs every year. “The majority of dogs we pick up are in good condition and have obviously just wandered off from their home,” says Mark Coombs, one of the council’s dog wardens. “It’s so easy for us to return them to their owners if they have a tag or microchip and the owners are usually overjoyed to have them safely back. There is really no excuse not to give your pet ID.”

Stray dogs spend up to seven days in the dogs home to give owners a chance to track them down and pick them up.

There is a fee of £56 to pay for this and a daily kennel fee of £10. Fees can be reduced by £10  if the owner allows their pet to be microchipped.

Three quarters of dogs are reunited with their owners due to microchips or dog tags, but between 150 – 200 dogs are not matched up with their owners and go on to Bristol Dog and Cat Home to be re-homed.

Wardens will start to issue repeat offenders with a fixed penalty notice of £80 and even prosecute the owner.

Vets the RSPCA, PDSA and the Bristol Dogs & Cats Home can all micro-chip dogs.

Prices vary from around £10-20.

To report a stray dog, contact the city council dog wardens on 0117 922 2500.