Spot the difference: magistrates taught about 'weapon' dogs

Magistrates in London are getting lessons on how to tell the difference between a pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier.

The move is part of an effort by police to get courts to process cases involving dangerous dogs more quickly.

Training is being given to about 60 magistrates and court staff to improve their knowledge of dogs and their understanding of the law.

Kit Malthouse, London's deputy mayor for policing, said the courts needed to deal with dangerous dogs - or "weapon dogs" - more efficiently and more quickly.

This year about 800 potentially dangerous dogs are expected to be seized by police in London, costing the taxpayer some £2.5million in kennel fees alone.

In March the Met launched a dedicated dog unit which has already dealt with 1,891 calls from the public.

Mr Malthouse said weapon dogs are a "horrific feature" of modern Britain which should ring alarm bells for the Government. He said: "No less dangerous than a knife or gun, yet paradoxically harder to control, they often terrorise whole neighbourhoods, inflicting injury and killing pets and tragically sometimes people.

"Make no mistake, these unfortunate animals are potential killers and we should treat them as such.

"We need tough legislation, tough enforcement and a hard-line approach to those who breed dogs for fighting and attack.

"At present magistrates do not understand the legislation. We need them to recognise the problem."

Mr Malthouse added: "If you were to manufacture a small explosive and sell it for use in a crowded neighbourhood, you would go to jail for many years. Breeding, training and selling a weapon dog is no different."

The Metropolitan Police fear summer festivals may be dog violence flashpoints. Acting assistant commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick, who is responsible for territorial policing, said the number of dog seizures is likely to increase.

On Tuesday five suspected pitbull terriers were seized at an address in Haringey.