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April 1874 Superintendent Egerton reported mad dogs or dogs going mad were at large in Birkenhead and Claughton. 3 mad dogs suffering from Hydrophobia (Rabies) had all ready been destroyed and its known they had bitten many other dogs and 2 men. He proposed that all dogs in the borough be chained up and restricted for a period of at least 2 months.

The Birkenhead Commissioners and the Watch Committee met to discuss the matter. A couple of commissioners argued if a dog was on a lead with its owners it was under control and could cause no harm. The proposal was passed and all dogs had to be confined for period of 2 months, failure to do so, the dogs would be dealt with.

In 1885 an article in the Birkenhead News complaining about the Police who seem to have nothing better to do than rounding up stray dogs and slaughtering them.
Over 100 have faced this fate. Fever kills thousands more than Hydrophobia does and the authorities should turn their attention to that.
It was asked if the Police were on piecework and were paid per head, stating the dogs are not mad but the authorities are.

In 1896 a strange incident happened when Mr John Burns of Argyle St South was walking along Hamilton St just entering Market St when he asked a person for a drink of water, immediately Mr Burns started growling and barking at the person and endeavoured to bite his leg. Two Constables heard the commotion and went to the aid of the person. It took a while for the constables to get Mr Burns under control and they managed with the help of passers by to get him to Brandon St police station where 6 officers managed to strap him to a Hand Ambulance, using straps, ropes and handcuffs. A Doctor was called for and he diagnosed Hydrophobia and sent him immediately to Tranmere Workhouse Infirmary.