If you find a dog -
The law says you must:-
Return it to its owners if you know who they are OR
Contact a Dog Warden in the area the dog was found OR
Take it to a Police Station.
You must not give the dog to a rescue society – as this is legally theft, and both you and the rescue society could be charged.
If you want to keep the dog, rather than have it put in the local pound, ask the dog warden for written notification entitling you to do so. If you just keep the dog, – again, you could be charged with theft.
Some people have difficulty getting the Police to accept strays when the Dog Wardens are off duty.
They do have to do this (under the Environmental Protection Act, Control of stray dogs order 1932).
If you see a dog enclosed in a car during hot weather, and the animal is suffering, then you should call the Police – not the RSPCA.
The Police have the authority to break into a car – whereas the RSPCA do not.