Who do I call about a dangerous or roaming dog?

The official body for your area: usually animal control, the council dog warden, the municipality or the police. Keep a dated record of every incident, because that record is what moves things along.

Dogs 4 min read Updated 9 October 2026

Call the official body that handles dogs where you live. Depending on the country, that is animal control, a council dog warden, the municipality or the police. If a dog is attacking someone right now, call emergency services first and sort out the rest later.

If your pet was hurt or killed, or your child was frightened, feeling angry and scared at the same time is normal. You do not have to settle this face to face with the owner. That is what the authority is for.

Who to call

An attack happening now, or a loose dog near a school or playground: emergency services or the police.
An owned dog that keeps getting out, or has attacked: animal control, the council dog warden or the municipality’s animal service.
Stray dogs: in many countries the municipality is responsible for strays. Ask the town hall which office deals with them.
Outside a town or city: a regional or county authority, or the police, often covers areas with no animal service of their own. If you are not sure, ask the police who to report to.
A dog that looks neglected: an animal welfare service or charity can check on the dog, alongside the authority.

If an office says it is not theirs, ask them to name who it is, and write down the answer and the date.

Keep a record of every incident

One call can be filed and forgotten. A dated list of incidents is much harder to ignore, and it is often what an authority needs before it can act on a repeat problem.

Date, time and place of each incident.
What happened: chased you, came into the garden, bit someone, attacked a pet.
The dog: size, colour, collar, and which house it lives at if you know.
Photos or video from a safe distance, plus photos of any injury or damage.
Vet or doctor notes and bills.
Every report you made: who you spoke to, when, and any reference number.

Report by email or the authority’s online form where you can, so you keep a dated copy. If anyone has been bitten, see what to do after a dog bite first.

Keep children and pets safe meanwhile

Check fences and gates on your side, especially gaps at the bottom, and fix what you can.
Stay with young children in the garden while the dog is still getting out, and agree a simple plan with them: stand still, arms in, call a grown-up.
Bring cats and small pets in at night and when the dog is about.
Change your walking route or time if strays gather on the usual one, and keep your own dog close on a short lead.
Do not leave food out or feed roaming dogs. It brings them back.

Keep your distance. Do not try to catch, corner or hurt a dog that has attacked. Get yourself, children and pets inside and call the authority. Harming a dog can be a crime in many countries, even after it has hurt your pet.

On walks, the steps on our loose dogs page help: stop, stand side on, put a bag or umbrella between you, and back away slowly.

Should you talk to the owner?

If the owner is reasonable, a calm word or a short note can get a fence fixed faster than any office. Keep it to facts: “Your dog was in our garden on Tuesday at about 6pm. I think it got through the gap by the shed. Could you have a look?”

If they have a temper, or you feel unsafe, skip it. Report it and let the authority make contact. You do not owe anyone a confrontation.

When the dog comes back

What an authority can do varies a lot by country. In some places it can require a dog to be kept on a lead, muzzled or behind a secure fence. Elsewhere the options are fewer. A dog may be returned to its owner after an incident, which can feel like nothing happened.

If that happens, ask what conditions were set, report every new incident straight away with the date, and ask what the next step is if it happens again. For rehoming, a court order or compensation, ask a legal advice service where you live.