AN APPEAL has been launched urging the public not to bring stray dogs to police stations following the Christmas holidays and recent bad weather.

Essex Police report that there has been a sharp rise in the number of the animals being handed in, but say it is not their responsibility to deal with the problem following changes to the law in April 2008.

Officers say residents should contact Epping Forest District Council instead.

Dawn Clark, senior property officer for Essex Police, said: "Since the change in legislation police forces no longer have any powers to deal with stray dogs. This has freed up officers and staff to commit more time to front line policing.

"We no longer maintain kennels at police stations so when people attend with a dog we have nowhere to put the animal and no means to transport it without incurring costs.

"We have to send people to other locations to drop the dog off or get them to wait whilst we contact council officials to collect the dog. This inconveniences everyone."

A spokeswoman added that police were still responsible for dealing with dog-related offences such as attacks by dangerous dogs and cases of dogs worrying livestock.

Calls can be made instead to Epping Forest District Council's Animal Welfare Service on 01992 564085 or its stray dog unit on 01992 564398.