Animal Services - Dog Control
The Animal Services Officers patrol the Moray area, identifying and picking up stray dogs.
If the public observe a stray they can request the Officer to attend .
These stray dogs are taken to Brumley Brae. A charge is made for the return of dogs to their owners.
If you have lost your dog contact Brumley Brae Kennels, Brumley Brae, Elgin, Moray, Tel: 01343 544411.
The Council has a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to appoint an officer for dealing with stray dogs found in the area. Moray Council currently employs one Animal Services Officer who carries out the duties of 'Dog Warden' as well as other animal health and welfare duties.
A dog roaming unattended in a public place is deemed to be a stray and he shall seize and detain it.
Where a stray dog has a collar and tag or the owner is known the Animal Services Officer will attempt to return the dog if it has been picked up for the first time.
The owner of a stray dog is not entitled to the return of the animal until the prescribed fee has been paid - see fee table.
Should the dog not be claimed or the owner declines to pay the sums outstanding the ownership of the dog is legally transferred to the Council after seven days.
It is the responsibility of the claimant to visit the kennels to recover their dog. Detained stray dogs will not be released by the kennels until all costs incurred are paid in full.
Once transferred to the Council or rehomed to a new owner the former owner of a stray dog has no legal claim for the return of the animal.
The Animal Services Officer also liaises with the Police.
If you are looking at reporting an animal cruelty or mistreatment issue, please make contact with Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) HELPLINE on 03000 999 999. This line is open 7 days a week 8am to 8pm.
Dangerous Dogs
All Dangerous Dog incidents involving XL Bully dogs should be reported to Police Scotland on 101. From 23 Feb 2024, it is a criminal offence under the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (Scotland) Order 2024 to:
- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle
- breed or breed from an XL Bully dog
- sell an XL Bully dog
- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
- give away an XL Bully dog
The Scottish Government has produced documents on conformation standard for typing an XL Bully dog. This is available here Conformation Standard.
XL Bully dogs are covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and applications for a Certificate of Exemption have closed. Further details on this can be found XL Bully dogs in Scotland. If a XL bully dog has a certificate of exemption then these rules require to be followed for the lifetime of the dog Exemption rules.
Also note that any incident involving any dog biting attack, any serious injury on a person or another animal should also be referred to Police Scotland 101 for initial investigation under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Contact Us
Environmental Health Section
Moray Council
Council Offices, High Street
Elgin
IV30 1BX
0300 123 4561