Cruelty Advice Helpline:
0300 1234 999
(Open 8am - 8pm)
Stray Dogs
If you find a stray dog, it is a legal requirement to report the dog to your local Dog Warden
Stray Dogs have been the responsibility of the local authorities (your local Council) since April 2005. RSPCA Southport, Ormskirk & District is unable to accept stray dogs. It is unlawful for us to do so without the appropriate Local Authority's licence.
Sefton Council's Dog Warden
Telephone 0345 374 2174
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West Lancashire Council's Dog Warden
Telephone 01695 577 177
Out of Hours, a stray will only be collected if it is 'contained' in some way by a member of the public. Operatives will not chase or track down a Stray Dog, as the Councils' Dog Warden might otherwise do during the day.
The legislation prescribes that local authorities provide an acceptance point for stray dogs to be taken. Dog Wardens will go to the home of the finder, unless they deem it ‘unsafe’ to do so, at which point they will meet with the finder at a convenient place to collect the dog.
Strays will then be dealt with as per these procedures:
1. They are scanned to see if they are micro-chipped if they are they will be returned, the first time they are collected. Subsequently they will be taken to the Local Authority's Kennels.
2. Un-chipped dogs that do not match a description of a ‘lost dog’ will be taken to the Local Authority's Kennels.
3. If any dog can be re-united with its owner then all efforts will be made to do so.
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Police
The Police are no longer obliged to accept stray dogs from members of the public. However, they still have a responsibility towards ‘Dangerous Breeds of Dogs’ AND ‘Dogs out of Control’ and in instances such as these, the Dog Warden will redirect these callers.
