Stray dogs

We have a legal duty to seize dogs that are found as strays within the borough. Any unaccompanied dog wandering the streets or parks, even wearing a collar and ID tag, is classed as a stray.

If you see a stray dog in St Helens you should contact us so that the appropriate action can be taken:

St Helens Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service - 01744 676789

On weekends and bank holidays you can contact Cheshire Dogs Home, 225 Knutsford Road, Thelwall, Warrington WA4 3JZ telephone 0300 102 1212 .

This acceptance facility is available 8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday - Sunday  Please note there is no collection service available.

If a stray dog is found in an area outside of the St Helens boundary the following can be contacted: 

• Knowsley Council Dog Warden Service - 0151 443 4712
• Sefton Council - 0345 140 0845

• Halton Council - 0303 333 4300

• Liverpool City Council - Acorn Kennels, 01948 662 931 

Or you can use Report a stray dog - GOV.UK  

The council keeps all stray dogs for seven days from the date they were seized. If a dog is not reclaimed during this time it will, wherever possible, be re-homed.

Before a dog can be returned to its owner a release fee does have to be paid. This fee covers the cost of the kennelling of the dog and the prescribed fee which is a charge made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The release fees per dog seized by us are:

• April 2024 - March 2025: £39 (for dog claimed from temporary holding kennels)
• April 2024 - March 2025: £130 (for a dog claimed after admittance to boarding kennels)
• April 2024 - March 2025: £170 (for a dog that has been seized as a stray on more than two occasions)