Met warns of owners breaking law ‘by not knowing banned dogs’

 
Danger: police say many are unaware of the laws around pit bull-type dogs (Picture: Alex Lentati)
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Unwitting Londoners are breaking the law by buying or taking in banned dog breeds, police warned today.

Officers said the trend for tougher-looking “status” pets has stretched to more affluent areas, with teachers and magistrates taking them on.

The Status Dog Unit enforces the Dangerous Dogs Act, policing banned breeds and those “dangerously out of control”. Sergeant Peter Madden, one of the Met’s most experienced dog handlers, said many seizures followed cute pets transforming into “more dog than they can handle”.

The UK’s banned breeds are the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Braziliero. Staffordshire Bull Terriers and other bull breeds are completely legal but can be muddled with banned varieties, police said.

The Met seized more than 750 dogs last year and many were neglected by their owners, police said. Speaking to the Standard, Chief Inspector Nigel Crane said: “Many of (the owners) are either unwitting in their knowledge of the law or the breed of the dog they may have taken on as a rescue dog.

“Most of the high profile or significant dog attacks in recent years, there have been welfare issue around as well.

“Poor ownership will always influence a dog’s behaviour.”

Recent seizures included nearly 40 dogs, several of which were pit bulls, being kept in “appalling conditions” in a £4 million Kensington and Chelsea house. The owner was arrested and is on police bail.

Seized animals are held at “confidential” kennels around London. Banned dogs seized by police can be handed back to their owner and a destruction order avoided. But they must be registered, insured, tattooed, neutered, microchipped and judged by authorities not to pose a danger to the public. They must also be muzzled and on a lead in public. Sergeant Madden said that despite this opportunity for a reprieve, “a significant number of people just don’t bother”.

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