JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

December 2004  

CONSTABLES TAKE THE LEAD ON STRAY DOGS

From 1^st December 2004, all stray dogs will have to be reported to the Parish Hall or the duty Centenier in the Parish in which they have been found, if the owner cannot be immediately traced.

If the Centenier cannot trace the owner, the dog will be collected and taken to a private kennelling establishment until the owner can be located.  The owners whose dogs stray and are collected and kennelled whilst their owner is located, will be required to pay for their animals incurred collection and kennelling expenses. 

Stray dogs are the responsibility of the Parish Constables, although, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter had previously taken on the responsibility on behalf of the Constables.  However, since the Homes Affairs Committee has cut the grant to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter for looking after and collecting the stray dogs, meaning that the Charity can no longer afford to offer the service, the Constables have had to consider other avenues for approaching their responsibility of managing the stray dogs.

Dog owners must ensure that their dogs have identification attached to their animals’ collars and have also been reminded that it is illegal to keep a dog without a dog license, the cost of which will be raised to £5 from 1^st January 2005. 

ENDS