Stray and Abandoned Dogs
Dogs should not be allowed to roam unsupervised in public. Legally the dog warden can seize any dog that is found alone in a public area. If the dog can be identified by a tag or other form of identification it will, if possible, be returned to the owner and a warning issued.
The dog warden service collects stray or loose animals which will be held at a kennel until the owner claims the dog or 7 days has elapsed. During the daytime, dogs are taken to Barra Boarding Kennels and Cattery, Levens Farm, Parkgate Road Saughall Chester CH1 6JS (tel: 01244 880837).
In the evenings and at weekends, dogs are taken to Acorn Kennels, Heath Rd, Whitchurch, SY13 2AA (tel: 01948 662931).
You are strongly advised to ring in order to find where your dog is being held and make arrangements for collection before making the journey.
The charges for the return of dogs picked up by the dog warden are as follows
- £60 plus kennelling fees of £5 per day
- If the animal is ill then a vet is consulted and appropriate treatment given. The owner will also be responsible for meeting the vet's charges.
- If after 7 days a dog has not been collected then it will be moved to a kennels from where it can be rehomed.
The dog warden's duties are:
- Dealing with strays.
- Dealing with noise from barking dogs.
- Enforcing 'dog ban' areas.
- Enforcing dog fouling legislation and provision of 'no fouling' signs and dog waste bins.
- Enforcing collars and tags legislation.
- Giving talks on responsible dog ownership to interested parties and schools.
- Taking part in publicity campaigns relating to dogs.
During the course of his duties, he also liaises with dog training clubs, kennels, vets and animal welfare organisations. The dog warden is usually on duty between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Their duties DO NOT include:
- collection of unwanted dogs
- dealing with dangerous dogs (unless they are stray dogs whose owners cannot be traced)
- dealing with cats (other than advisory)
- collection of dead dogs
- the emptying of dog waste bins
- dog registration and microchipping (though dogs may be micro-chipped by a Vet and registered with Petlog)
Stray Dogs
Details of stray dogs currently being held by the dog warden team.
Contact Us
You can contact the dog wardens on 0300 123 8 123 or email animalhealth@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
To inform the Council of any stray dogs that need collection or are loose, please ring 0300 123 8 123, do not use the Animal Health email.
NB it would be helpful if you could inform the staff of the area in which the dog has been seen so that they can put your call through to the correct member of staff.