Death or Escape of a Dog Procedure

To comply with the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) Regulations 2018, we have policies and procedures in place in case of the death or escape of a dog, including the storage of a deceased dog. 

Escape of a Dog

Every effort is made to ensure that the home is secure, and dogs cannot escape. All boarding dogs must wear a collar at all times. Holmes for Paws will attach to the collar a tag with the premises name, address, phone number and name of licensee. All windows are fitted with window restrictors to prevent dogs from escaping or kept locked (to prevent accidental opening).

In the unlikely event that a dog does escape the following procedure will be followed:

  1. All available persons will make an immediate search of the premises and grounds.
  2. The Dog Warden Service will be contacted to see if the dog has been handed in and details of the dog left with them to make contact if the dog is found.
  3. The local RSPCA will be contacted to see if the dog has been handed in and details of the dog left with them to make contact if the dog is found.
  4. Local Vets will also be contacted to see if a dog has come to their attention.
  5. The owner and local proxy will be contacted and kept informed of the situation, if possible, the home address will be checked by the local proxy, or member of staff, in case the dog has returned home.
  6. Posters will be placed, and local streets searched.
  7. Social media posts will be utilised asking local residents etc to share a photograph of the dog and report any sightings.
  8. A thorough investigation will be undertaken into the circumstances of the escape and procedures implemented to prevent a similar occurrence. The Incident Investigation Form will be completed.

Death of a Dog

In the unlikely event of a death of a dog the following procedures will be followed.

  1. The dog will be removed from the home and taken to The George Vets nominated Vet.
  2. The Vet will be asked to determine the cause of death.
  3. The owner and/or local proxy will be contacted at the earliest opportunity to inform them of the death.
  4. The dogs body will be stored at the Vets until the owner is able to collect the body, or gives instructions for the cats disposal.
  5. An Incident Investigation form will be completed.
    (This is not a mandatory form, but it’s use constitutes good practice and will be followed where needed)
    This form should be completed when an unusual or unexpected event occurs, such as the escape of a dog, injury to a dog or death of a dog It should also be completed after an emergency situation such as loss of power or water.
  6. Briefly describe the incident; Consider who, what, where when and how.
    Identify the root causes of the incident: This should help you determine the causes behind the incident. You should think beyond the obvious. For example, a member of staff allowing a dog to escape when they entered the dog area. Who left the rom/door/gate open? Why did they leave the it open? Have they received sufficient training, is the training adequate? Are the procedures adequate

Veterinary Interventions

If Homes for Paws Ltd believes the dog requires treatment by a vet we will first try to contact the owners or the owner’s local proxy, except in emergencies. Homes for Paws Ltd will always endeavour to take the dog to it’s usual vet, but if that is not possible it will be taken to Homes for Paws Ltd designated Vet’s namely [George Vets]. If expensive treatments and investigations are required Homes for Paws Ltd will again try to make contact with dogs’ owner or owner’s local proxy.

If the owner or proxy cannot be contacted Homes for Paws Ltd will take advice from the Vet and make the decisions based on the health and welfare of the dog. If euthanasia is recommended, on humane grounds by the Vet, Homes for Paws Ltd will try to contact the owner or proxy however Homes for Paws Ltd will not unnecessarily prolong the suffering of dog.