The Dog Warden will help you if you lose your dog, and aims to help prevent stray dogs from being a danger to traffic or a nuisance to people.

Your dog must wear a tag (collar) by law when out in a public place. We also recommend that you have your dog micro-chipped (the chip contains your ownership details).

If we catch your dog we can only return it to you if it is wearing a tag, or is micro-chipped. There will be a fee for the return of your dog.

If we catch a stray dog, and we can't trace the owner, the dog is taken to Manchester Dogs Home where it is kept for seven days. If the dog is collected within seven days there is a fine to pay, plus the kennelling charges before the dog is released. If you do not collect your dog within seven days, you will lose the right to reclaim it, and we will try to re-home it.

You can report a stray dog by:

• Email: access.trafford@trafford.gov.uk
• Telephone: 0161 912 2000 (Outside normal office hours: 0845 241 7253)
• Minicom: 0161 912 2102

Dangerous Dogs - To report a problem with a Dangerous Dog , contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050.

Concerned about the welfare of a dog - If you are concerned about the abuse, neglect or welfare of a dog, this should be reported to the Council's Animal Health Officer on 0161 912 4509 or the RSPCA.

Any complaints about dogs will be responded to as quickly as possible, but always within 2 working days.

Dogs causing a noise nuisance - Complaints about noise nuisance caused by dogs barking can be made by emailing environmental.protection@trafford.gov.uk

Penalties for dog fouling are outlined in The Clean Neighbourhoods Act 2006. This Act means that it is illegal to fail to clear up after your dog if it fouls any land which is open to the air and to which the public have access.

The penalty for contravening the Act is a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution in the magistrates court. This Act is enforced by our Local Environment Officers.