Defra published guidance on stray and abandoned dogs on 22 September 2026. It applies to England and Wales and explains local authorities' existing responsibilities; publication is not an announcement of a new UK-wide dog law.
Start with the local council
The guidance places responsibility for collected stray dogs with local authorities. Welfare charities do not have that statutory duty. If you find a dog without someone responsible for it, contact the council's stray-dog service for instructions rather than assuming a rescue centre must take it.
Identification and safe care
The document tells councils to check identification at the earliest safe opportunity, seek the owner and provide appropriate care while holding the dog. A finder should not assume that finding or keeping a dog automatically settles ownership. For suspected theft, the guidance directs owners to the police.
Useful next steps
Check your own council's current contact arrangements. GroomNear is a directory, not a stray-dog response service. For routine care after a safe reunion, explore local groomers and our dog-care guides.
Source and scope
Defra guidance, published 22 September 2026, checked 5 October 2026. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate arrangements. Original GroomNear explainer prepared with AI assistance; illustration is AI-created. For corrections, email support@groomnear.com.
