Stray dogs

Any dog found in a public place, or private place where it should not be, which appears to be without its owner and not under the control of its owner or a person representing them, may be seized and detained as a stray dog by an appropriate person.

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Any one finding a stray dog can contact the Animal Control & Welfare Service who will arrange for a warden to collect the dog

Dogs must wear a collar and tag giving the name and address of the owner when in a public place (The Control of Dogs Order 1992). In most cases this will enable the owner to be identified.

Return of seized dogs to their owners

Where officers can identify the dog owner they will try to notify the owner or person whose address is given on the collar:

• That the dog has been seized;
• Where it is being kept; and
• That it will be disposed of unless it is claimed within seven clear days after the service of the notice and the full amount liable is paid.

If a dog is returned to the owner within 24 hours of being found the owner will need to pay a charge of £35. If a dog is returned to the owner more than 24 hours after it was found the owner will need to pay a charge of £70.

Accepting strays found by other persons

Any finder of a stray dog should return the dog to its owner (if owner can be identified) or take the dog to the local authority for the area in which the dog was found. The authority must treat such a dog as though it had been seized by an officer.

Register of detained dogs

The council keeps a register of dogs seized or brought to the council and of dogs being kept by their 'finders' at the Council Kennels in Corporation Road, Birkenhead.

Details of newly detained dogs are added to the register at the earliest possible opportunity.

Details recorded in the register are:

• A brief description of dog, including breed (if known), colour and any distinctive characteristics or markings, tattoos or scars
• Any information contained on collar/tag, or otherwise carried by the dog, this would include micro-chipping
• Date, time and place of the seizure
• If a notice is served on the owner, details of when/where served.

When a dog is taken out of council care the register records the date of disposal; method of disposal; the name and address of purchaser and price (if sold), person to whom the dog was gifted or person carrying out the humane destruction.

Where the dog is returned to a person claiming to be the owner, the register records the name and address of that person and the date of return.

For Stray dogs found outside normal opening hours, i.e. Nights, Weekends and Bank Holidays, please phone 0151 666 5265, where a duty Officer will be arranged to meet you at the Council Kennels, Corporation Road, Birkenhead, to kennel the dog.

If you are unable to transport the dog to the kennels you are requested to hold it until the following working morning and the phone the Kennels office to arrange for a Warden to collect the dog.