I've found a dog
Anyone who finds a stray dog must inform us and has a legal obligation to hand the dog to either its owner or us.
Your safety is most important. Do not attempt to restrain or handle a dog that is showing signs of aggression.
You can also phone Birmingham Dog Wardens on 0121 303 6007.
Stray dogs will be collected the next working day.
Out of hours
We do not provide a stray dog collection service outside of office hours. If you find a stray dog at these times, you can either:
- look after the dog until the next working day if safe to do so
- check the dog for a collar and ID tag for the owner’s details
- take the dog to the nearest vet or animal charity where it can be scanned for a microchip and the owner can be contacted
- phone the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency if the dog is aggressive and there is a risk to the public
- refer injured dogs to the RSPCA by telephone on 0300 1234 999
- check and post on local social media - many lost and found animals are reunited with owners through these platforms
If you find a dog outside of Birmingham, you must contact the relevant local council.
What else can I do?
Most dogs are microchipped and many wear a collar and tag. If there are no details on the collar, take the dog to any vet to check for a microchip. This should be done free of charge.
If a chip is found, the vet will contact the microchip company for the owner's details. The microchip company or vet will then contact the dog's owner.
Page last updated: 20 May 2026
