Recent changes in the law mean the council is now solely responsible for stray dogs. But the new arrangements are good news for residents.
Before April, dogs found outside normal office hours had to be taken to a police station as the police did not operate a collection service. But now Wigan has joined forces with all Greater Manchester councils to provide an improved service that goes further than government demands. Anyone who finds a dog can now ring a dedicated stray hotline and arrange either to drop the dog off at an agreed point or ask for it to be collected from their home. If you’ve lost your dog you can also call the number to check whether it has been found or handed in.
This out-of-hours service operates between 5pm and 1am. The lost dog enquiry facility is also available on the same number daily, up until 1pm on 0845 241 7253.
The council’s daytime dog warden service will remain unchanged. If you find a dog between 8.45am and 5pm, call the environmental helpline on 01942 404364.
Council chiefs are stressing that the out-of-hours council facility is not a conventional warden service and there is no facility to patrol or attempt to catch a stray dog. Also, the police are still responsible for dealing with animals that are involved in accidents, and should be contacted on 0161 872 5050.
Sally Wolstencroft, the council’s assistant director of neighbourhood services, said: “The collection facility will reduce the risk of anyone being injured or bitten by a stray dog. And from a welfare perspective, we can ensure that strays are taken to a safe place and treated humanely.”
