Section 4: Reclaiming of stray dogs

4. Reclaiming of stray dogs (1) Where it appears that a dog taken to a dog pound is registered, the person in charge of the dog pound shall, as far as practicable, cause the owner to be informed, within 48 hours of the fact that he may reclaim his dog. (2) The owner of a dog which has been taken to a dog pound may, not later than 3 days after it has been taken there, but subject to subsections (3), (4) and (5), reclaim the dog. (3) A dog that has been taken to a dog pound shall, subject to section 5 (2), be returned to its owner where that person— (a) establishes his ownership to the satisfaction of the person in charge of the dog pound; (b) pays the reclamation fee specified in the Schedule; and [Issue 1] C43 – 2 (c) where the dog was not registered, satisfies the officer in charge of the dog pound that he has since caused the dog to be registered. (4) No dog shall be returned to its owner unless it has been sterilised and tattooed. (5) Any stray dog which is seized for the second time shall be returned to its owner— (a) upon payment of the reclamation fee specified in the Schedule; and (b) subject to such other conditions as may be specified by the officer in charge of the dog pound. (6) For the purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed not to be registered where it is not wearing a collar and a numbered disc when it was caught. [S. 4 amended by Act 45 of 2003.]