A Derbyshire woman says she was shocked when the police told her to put a lost dog back on the street.
Pet owner calls for better provisions for strays
Emma Colclough rang the Derbyshire Police and the RSPCA for help when she found a terrier abandoned in the street.
It was not wearing a collar and she could not keep it at her home because of her own pet.
She said she is shocked by their response and is worried about the lack of help.
Mrs Colclough said: "I'm a pet owner and I love my dog very much but there is nothing in this area to help dog owners get their pets back.
"To return a small, old dog to the road to fend for itself is just criminal."
But, the RSPCA disputed that it would not help an animal in distress and said
that legally, the responsibility for the stray dog rests with the finder to make sure it is left with the police or a dog warden.
A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said: "We can understand Mrs Colclough's frustrations.
"Our enquiry offices do not stay open overnight.
"I'm sure no-one would suggest police officers should be taken from their duties dealing with emergency calls to take in stray dogs.
"If we receive calls from people who have found a dog, when local authority dog wardens are not on duty, then we would ask them to take it to a police station or look after it until the morning."