Is the dog warden no longer a thing?

[Pinkydamage]

When I was a child stray dogs were quite common and (I think) following concerns about toxoplasmosis, dog wardens were introduced and it became very unusual to see a loose dog.

I'm on two local FB groups (I know how to live!) because I live between the two towns.

On both there are regular posts about a dog who's "got out". 2 dogs, one in each town, always the same dog.

The response is always "oh that's Buster don't worry about him, the owners know he's out, he takes himself for a walk and takes himself home when he's ready".

So everyone knows who these dogs are/where they live and it just carries on. Is it actually OK for dogs to be out loose, no one controlling them (or picking up their mess)?

No its not OK. Its lazy, feckless owners who couldn't give a fuck about their dogs welfare or for their neighbourhood. Dogs left to roam like this should be removed from their owners.

Councils should still have a dog warden service. You can report loose or fouling dogs to them and they will visit the home and advise owner.

My council has a dog warden service but the hours are quite limited.

It relies on local charities/FB groups/Vets to keep hold of animals until they can hand them over to them.

Plenty of councils have a dog warden, but they aren't out patrolling looking for any random dogs. They need to be contacted. Either once a dog is caught or to report issues with it.
You could report these dogs to the council if you know who owns them and where they live.

No, it’s not ok.
We have dog wardens in our area, but despite complaints to them, they dont appear to leave the office.

I found a lost ddog last week. Ddog warden was a phone call away and arrived within the hour.

we have a dog warden, but, as above, limited hours

I reported a person on my street who let's their dog stray to the dog warden, as it just gets left to wander around. It gives me the rage. It happens regularly. Not an accident. I could give the dog's name and address so hopefully they will get a visit from the dog warden.

I’m remember the 80s when self walking dogs were the norm. There was a dog who would walk to the pub to find it’s owner. I think his wife just shooed it out the door.

Yep the person on my street just can't be arsed walking her dog. Thinks it's fine to let it walk itself.

There are certainly dog wardens in my area, and they came very quickly when I caught a loose dog with no collar and I didn't recognise (plus no one reporting it as lost on local FB groups).

there's a farmer who let's his dogs run loose in our village. one goes all over, into gardens, follows people and runs in front of cars.

Just saw two in my street this morning, so they are definitely a thing.