Exactly who seized this dog?
“Unqualified police officers”
*****
http://dangerousdogsact.blogspot.com/2011/04/fighting-for-fudge-outrage-as-puppy-is.html
Fighting for Fudge – outrage as puppy is killed.
The owner of a puppy in Liverpool has been left heartbroken after Merseyside police destroyed her 5-month-old crossbreed pet. Carole Eden, 61, claims that unqualified police officers attended her home at 9.45 pm on 22nd March and informed her that her puppy “Fudge” was a banned pit bull type.
Ms Eden says
“Fudge was asleep when they arrived but woke up wagging her tail and looking for a fuss. The police officers told me she was a pit bull and they were going to seize her. I was told to sign some forms but didn’t have my glasses so went to get them. One of the officers placed a hand on my arm to stop me and informed me the forms were simply to say I wasn’t coerced.
I believed them. You are meant to trust the authorities. I believed Fudge was being seized yet half an hour after Fudge was taken I received a phone call telling me she was dead. The forms I had signed had been to agree to have Fudge destroyed. She was just 5 months old !
This has left a whole family devastated. Fudge was part of the family and my grandkids came daily to see her. The little ones played with her and the bigger ones walked her - all under supervision, as you should do with any dog. I can honestly say I haven’t seen my family as upset as this since their dad died.”
The following day Ms Eden approached Endangered Dogs Defence and Rescue who in turn contacted DDA Watch and solicitor Tina Hay from Wheldon Law. Ms Eden was advised that as Fudge was not yet fully grown and under 9 months of age, it would be impossible to accurately determine if Fudge was a banned type or not.
An independent Breed Expert was appointed to carry out an assessment on Fudge who concluded that at present, Fudge did not have the substantial number of characteristics needed to be a pit bull type. It may be that Fudge would have grown into an illegal dog however she also had many characteristics of legal breeds and we will never know what Fudge would have become.
Ms Eden has lodged a formal complaint. While it is too late for Fudge Ms Eden is fighting for a change in law and procedure to ensure this never happens again.
A petition has been set up to repeal the breed aspects of the Dangerous Dogs Act and to push for a “48 hour cooling off period” when a sign over disclaimer has been signed until the current law is changed. This will give owners the chance to seek independent advice and to change their minds if they wish to fight for their dogs.
Alison Green from DDA Watch backs Ms Eden’s campaign to change the legislation.
“Sadly this is not the first time we have been approached by owners who did not know what they were signing. Many do not fully understand what they are signing or that they can legally keep their dogs even if the dog is deemed to be a banned type. There needs to be more transparency about the options available to owners and allow those owners the time to ensure they are making the right decision.
Had a 48 hours cooling off period been in place already, Fudge would still be alive. “
To view and sign the petition please see here: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/justiceforfudge
End B.S.L.