A TWIN plea has gone out to St Helens Council to open a dogs home in a bid to solve the mounting problem of stray dogs in the town.

The Lost and Found Pets Register and Rutland House Veterinary Hospital believe that the current dog warden service is simply not coping with the increasing number of strays.

Debbie Baxendale who runs the volunteer organisation Lost and Found said "There is currently only one dog warden in the town and he finishes work at 5.00pm on weeknights and doesn't work at weekends. People are bringing stray dogs to the veterinary school or to Lost and Found".

" I am taking in six to seven strays a week and then having to take them to the RSPCA in Halewood. It is placing great strain and pressure on myself".

Kind hearted Debbie revealed how she had to cover the town for two weeks over the Christmas period because the dog warden was on holiday and no cover was introduced.

Debbie now wants to extend Lost and Found so that it has a dogs home but she stresses that funding and public support is needed.

"We are applying for charitable status. Various people help with fund raising, and donations are greatly appreciated. We also need people to act as foster carers for stray dogs that we collect".

The case for a dogs home was put to the Council at a meeting on Wednesday, February 28.

Meanwhile, employees at Rutland House have now carried out a petition amongst the St Helens public and it includes 1,000 signatures seeking a dogs home.