THE RSPCA has launched a campaign to prevent confusion about stray dogs.
It aims to tell the public that local councils and the police are the only organisations legally responsible for stray dogs.
It is hoped the scheme will prevent callers from wasting their own time and money reporting strays to the RSPCA and other animal charities which cannot help.
Leaflets and posters are to be distributed to tell people what they should do if they find a stray dog.
Kirklees Council dog wardens should be contacted.
They have the training and skills to deal with stray animals and are often able to reunite dogs with their owners.
Stray dogs can also be handed over at police stations, but only as a last resort.
There were 2,328 stray dog complaints in Kirklees last year.
Maurice Turner, animal welfare manager at Kirklees, said the best way of preventing dogs straying was for owners to have a microchip fitted in the neck of their dog.
People wanting to have their dog fitted with a £15 microchip can contact the Kirklees dog warden.
