Dog owners are being urged to think carefully about their choice of pet and its subsequent care after two animals were seized in a police raid.
The dogs, believed to be pit bull cross breeds, were confiscated from an address in Deanpoint, Westgate, Morecambe, after police executed a dangerous dogs warrant at the property on Friday 15th July and the dog owner has now been cautioned for possession of a dog dangerously out of control in public.
Police were acting on complaints from local residents after two people suffered dig bites.
“The dogs were being allowed to roam free in the garden when their owner was out, but the property’s fences and gates were not substantial enough and the dogs would then get out into the street,” explains PC Robert Brookbanks, Poulton’s community beat manager.
“On two occasions people were bitten by the animals, causing injuries which fortunately were not too serious – although this may not have been the case if it was a child that had been bitten.”
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act and other legislation, it is an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place or in a private place where it is not allowed to be. In addition, the ownership of certain types of dog, such as the Pit Bull Terrier, is prohibited. It is also an offence to breed from, sell or exchange (even as a gift) a prohibited type of a dog.
“Owners need to carefully consider the type of dog they are getting before they bring home a pet,” he added. “They need to consider if they have the resources and energy to look after the dog properly, train it thoroughly and then keep it under control.
“Pets should not be bought purely as a status symbol, they need love and attention as in the wrong hands they can become dangerous.”
• If you have concerns about dogs in your area you can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or the council dog warden 01524 582 757.
• Dogs that are banned in the UK
• Advice on controlling your dog in public