Police have seized a dog from a Lancaster house following the execution of a dangerous dogs warrant.
Officers attended an address on the Ryelands Estate after learning that the dog could be the puppy of another animal that had already been seized and found to be a dangerous type.
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.
Any dog can be a danger to the public, but certain types of dogs are banned in the UK. If you own a banned breed of dog you are committing a criminal offence. A banned dog can be seized by police even if it isn’t acting in a dangerous manner.
“The dog will be examined to determine what type it is,” commented PC Peppi Agliolo of Lancaster police. “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, dependant 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.
“It is very important that dog owners take responsibility for their pets – banned type or not,” he added, “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.”