Dogs in Sefton
Sefton Council welcomes responsible dog owners to its parks, greenspaces and miles of protected coastline. Please see the information on the Public Spaces Protection Order PSPO - Dog Control which details the requirements that apply to anyone who is in charge of a dog in a shared space.
Stray dogs
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 each local authority has an obligation to pick up stray dogs.
To reclaim their dog, owners must pay a reclaim fee in full before the dog will be released.
After 7 days, the dog becomes the property of Cheshire Dogs Home, who will assess the suitability of the dog for rehoming.
Reporting a stray dog
NDTC Ltd are operating the service of collection of stray dogs between 9am and 9pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 4pm Saturday, Sunday, and Banks Holidays.
NDTC Ltd will only collect a stray dog if it has been secured.
If you wish to arrange the collection of a stray or lost dog that has been secured, please contact NDTC Ltd on 07376280843 or email seftonstraydogs@yahoo.com. NDTC will aim to collect the dog within 4 working hours.
Reclaiming a stray dog
To see if their dog has been picked up as a stray, dog owners should contact NDTC Ltd on 07376280843.
If the dog is in their care, NDTC Ltd with make arrangements to return the dog once a reclaim fee has been paid in full via the Dog Reclaim page. NDTC Ltd will normally only return a dog to an address within Sefton.
- If a dog is reclaimed before being taken to kennels, the reclaim fee is £80
- If a dog is reclaimed within 48 hours of being picked up by NDTC the reclaim fee is £125
If not reclaimed, NDTC Ltd will arrange to take the dogs they have collected to Manchester & Cheshire Dog Home. Dog owners should phone 0300 1021212 to check if their dog has been kennelled there. Again a reclaim fee will need to be paid in full before the dog is returned.
- If a dog is reclaimed within 48 hours of being picked up the reclaim fee is £125
- If a dog is reclaimed after 48 hours of being picked up the reclaim fee is £150. There is an additional £45 charge for the dog to be returned to an address within Sefton if that is required
Dangerous or out of control dogs
If you are worried about a dangerous breed, a dog that is out of control, a dangerous or aggressive dog please contact the Police on 999 if it is an emergency or on 101.
Collar & tag
It is a legal requirement that all dogs must wear a collar and tag (even if microchipped) when in a public place. The tag must be inscribed with the name and address of the owner.
Dogs on the coast
Much of the Sefton coast is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with a series of nature reserves and protected areas running from Crossens in the north to Waterloo in the south.
Dog owners are encouraged to exercise their pets here but you must clean up any fouling, do not leave dog poo bags in the landscape and ensure your dog is kept under control.
There are two beach dog exclusion zones in place from 1st May to 30th September:
- Southport beach is free of dogs starting from the Pier south towards Pleasureland (for 555m) and to the tide line.
- Ainsdale Beach is free of dogs 200m either side of the main beach entrance and to the tide line.
Both the dog exclusion zones are well signed during the summer season.
Rare species including Natterjack Toads and Great Crested Newts use the many pools in the dunes – dogs MUST be kept out of these areas of water so these protected species can survive.
Dogs should also be kept away from birds on the beach, especially large flocks of roosting waders, terns and gulls, all of which use this coastline as an essential stop off or breeding site along the East Atlantic Flyway. It is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to allow your dog to disturb these birds.
Pets should also be controlled so they do not disturb ground-nesting birds in the dunes. Nesting species are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Threatened species including Skylarks are vulnerable and can be found throughout the Sefton dune system.
Dogs should also be kept under close control and way from all livestock (sheep, cows etc.) on the coast.