Dangerous Dogs Act Shocker

Breed Specific Legislation News

A family in Merseyside have been left devastated after learning that their pet dog Macey has died in police appointed kennels. Merseyside Police seized Macey under the Dangerous Dogs Act legislation as an alleged “Pit Bull Type” whilst her owners prepared to attend court on 15th November. The police have now dropped all charges.

Merseyside Police have ordered that a post mortem be carried out on four year old Macey, the results of which are not yet available. There were no temperament issues regarding the family pet and her owner did not have a police record. Deed Not Breed and the Bull Breed Advisory Service (BBAS), who have worked with the owner while Macey was seized, believe Macey “had a high chance” of being allowed on the Index of Exempted Dogs. Alison Green of BBAS said: “Whilst nothing is certain until a judgement is made, Mrs Payton is a responsible owner who ensured her dog was well mannered and always under her control. Mrs Payton’s young children believed Macey was on holiday and would be home soon, the whole family are heartbroken.”

Pet dog Macey was seized as a result of a call from a member of the public. The seizure was based purely on her looks and physical measurements; not on the behaviour of the dog or owner.  No one is suggesting that this awful incident would not have happened had she not been seized; as yet no one knows why this pet dog has died. We understand she had shown no sign of any illness prior to her death, however the fact that she died without her owner by her side has obviously made this tragic news even more traumatic for her family. A full investigation into the circumstances of Macey’s death needs to be carried out urgently.

Prior to Macey being seen by a breed ID expert, Mrs Payton had not known she fell into the broad category of “type”. Had she been aware and the Index of Exempted Dogs allowed for owner led registration, Mrs Payton would have voluntarily registered Macey avoiding the stressful separation enforced under the current system and enabling Macey to stay at home with her family. The Index has been closed to owner applications since 1992 and at present, only a court can order a dog to be registered.

November 2007

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