Police have seized a dog from a Bolton-le-Sands house following the execution of a dangerous dogs warrant.
Officers attended the address on Alpine View on Tuesday, after learning that the dog was being kept at the property.
Any dog can be a danger to the public, but certain types of dogs are banned in the UK. A banned dog can be seized by police even if it isn’t acting in a dangerous manner.
The dog – which is believed to be a pit bull terrier type dog, one of four banned breeds in the UK – will now be kept in kennels while checks are made.
“There is a risk that people who ignore the fact that certain breeds are banned will also ignore their responsibilities when it comes to looking after their pet,” said Sergeant Dylan Hrynkow of Morecambe police, “and training it correctly so that it does not pose a threat to members of the public, either through injury or intimidation.
“The dog will be examined to determine what type it is. If it is not a banned breed of dog then it will be returned to its owner. If it is banned dog, officers will investigate the circumstances around the dog and owner and a decision will be made regarding what offences have been committed and whether to prosecute the owner in either criminal or civil courts.
“If it can be shown that the dog is not a danger to the public, then the courts can place it on the government’s Index of Exempted Dogs. The owner may be able to keep their dog, dependent on the courts decision, and a list of compulsory stringent conditions will be imposed – including keeping it muzzled and on a lead when in public and having it neutered.”
He added: “It is very important that dog owners take responsibility for their pets – banned type or not – and that they train them and care for them so that they are not a threat to other animals or people. Where we can see that an owner is willing and able to meet their responsibilities, costs and conditions, we will work with them to have their animal returned.
“However, Lancashire Police will not tolerate the keeping of illegal dogs for criminal purposes, whether that be intimidation of others or where they cause a danger to others, and we will continue to target those that keep these types of animals.”