Police Seized My Dog (u.k.)

[ana]

I'm really upset.


Let me introduce myself as I am a new member of the forum.
My name is Ana, I'm from Spain but I've lived in London for the past ten years.


Last November, when I was taking the rubbish out a dog runned into my house!.
I walked in to find her sitting in the kitchen.
she looked like the sort of dog you see on the news, a 'dangerous dog', it did scared me at first but then I realized it was friendly.
She had a collar but no address or anything to lead us to the owner so my boy and I got a piece of rope and took her for a walk to try and find her family.

this happened on a sunday evening, after a few hours of walking around we took her back home and gave her a blanket and a pillow.


The morning after I took her to the Police Station check if she had been reported and hand her in. The policemand told me that no dogs under that description had been reported and that they didn't have any kennels there so I HAD TO TAKE HER somewhere else. I thought it was quite unprofessional to make me travel around London to find the right police station and as the doggy was nice I told him that I would take her home with me and when the owner claim it I would return her.
The police seem more than happy to get rid of the problem and gave me a document reporting the case.
I did asked at the time what breed the dog was and if it belong to one of them Ilegal Breeds, the policeman check the dog closely and wrote a report stating the dog was a STAFFORDSHIRE, brown color etc.
So i left with my lovely temporary pet who was ok within the british law.
Next stop the vet, she was not micro chipped so no way of finding owner but they registered her on the rspca missing dog list and CONGRATULATED me for being so kind and keeping her.


I went home that day pleased of having done the right thing as a citizen and as an animal lover.


Next day we went to the park, and guess?... we bumped into a guy who recognized her as her neighbours dog that went missing last sunday!!!I got in contact with the owner and arrange to leave her at the guys house;on the walk there I told him how much I liked her and that I will miss her.He mention that the dog COCO (that's her name) just had pupps and that I could maybe asked the owner for one.
I left him my number.


That evening, the owner, Paul called me to thank me for looking after Coco;
He explained that he had rescued her 3 months before from some evil guy who used her for breeding, SHE IS FIVE AND HAD 8 LITTERS OF PUPPIES!!!!the guy had her locked in the house chained to a radiator and used to beat her up with a golf club.
Paul took her as the guy was gonna get her killed cos she could not breed any longer!!!He didn't realize she was again pregnant so Paul took her to his and she had pupps again. Paul has another dog, and as his neighbour told him I really like Coco and I had been so nice trying to return her, he offer me to KEEP HER!!!.
We were over the moon and that same evening I walked to his place to collect her.


We booked her in at the vet, got everything up to date and booked her for neurtering her which everyone advice to do.We had to cancelled the appointment as she came into season.


Coco has become a member of the family, we absolutely adore her.
We really spoilt her because she had no love in the past so we want to make up for it.
She has three beds in different place at the house, we go for long walks, feed her home made food that I specifically make for her (pasta or rice with vegetables and either liver or kidney, heart, lamb, pork) only the best for our girl.
I am a housewife so we spend all day in each other company and we got really attached.I can't imagine life without Coco.


Until yesterday!
Coming back from a walk in the park, the police stopped me and out of the blue asked what breed my dog was. I politely explained a resumed of what I have written here.
They told me they thought it might belong to a breed from the dangerous dogs law and that she had to be taken away!!!
I was in shocked!!!
I called my fiancee on his phone and asked him to leave work and get in a taxi because I could not deal with such thing on my own.
I was really distressed. I even took her soft toy (WOODSTOCK, Snoop's friend) out of my handbag to show the police that my dog was a lovely obedient chill out family pet that didn't even fetch a ball, just liked sitting in the park babysitting yellow birdy toy.
But that was that, Neil arrived on time to help her into a cage in the back of a police van ( where she happily jumped into, not knowing...poor thing).
And we didn't even get a miserable paper stating what just happened.
We will give you a call in a few days, you won't be able to visit her and in order for her to not to be destroyed you will have to go to court and win the case!.


I am broken


We both are


We have contacted all organizaions runned by people who had the same problem and they have been extremely helpful. Giving advice and support and preparing for the court hearing.

Still...my dog is in a kennel

And I feel like we have letted her down...

She finally had a proper home and the people she trusted the most put her in the back of a van and send her away...


Human kind are a funny lot.woof!


I needed to get it out of my chest, sorry about my long story, but if you have any nice advice, thoughts etc please reply...we are in need of some kindness
(no horror stories from kennels please)

Thanks
Ana and Neil

[skunkstripe]

Hello ana and welcome to the forum.
Your story is very sad. Coco sounds like she does nto deserve what is happening to her at all and like you have been extremely kind to a poor dog who really needed some kindness in her life.
I hope I hope you win your case for Coco's sake. And I wish I could offer you advice but you are in the UK and I am in the US so I have no experience with this.
Bless you for being so kind to this girl!

[staffilover]

hi ana,
i'm so sorry for what has happened to you and your sweet girl, well actually i'm very angry this is happening too much over here in the uk.

ana have you contacted deed not breed?

oooh i'm so angry...i just read a story about the new "sport" they are now putting bull terriers in lifts in high rise flats and making them fight to the death..who gets punished? the dogs, of course. this has to bloody stop.

[Spicy_VV]

I'm very sorry for whats happening to you and your dog! It makes me both sad and angry. You are not alone in this, certainly not the 1st to have this happen. There was a very long story in one of the pit bull magazines about a family that had this happen to them. Only the officers basically raided their house early morning. The dogs they had were SBT but the law insisted that they would have to be taken and examined by their "experts". The owner assured them the dogs were SBT and he'd know one anywhere being his family raised them as purebred SBT for generations (his father, grand father, ect kept SBT). They still took the dogs. Finally the family got them back but was very shocked and saddened, he came home to find his wife and son in tears. The dogs they had been given back were in bad shape, one wrapped in a blanket looked like a skeleton and very gross. There was pics of what they looked like after being returned, made my stomach turn.

I hope you are able to "prove" some how that your dog is a SBT soon! Before anything bad happens or the dog is killed or something. Maybe the document from the other officer stating SBT will help? Can you go to court over this? Please keep us UTD. I'm wishing you the best of luck.

[staffilover]

i think she said she will go to court its then down to the judges discretion.

[blunder paws]

Oh no the poor dog and poor you. You must be heart broken:sad-smiley-002:. This sort of thing is happening to much in the uk. Its the people that have give the dogs a bad name and it,s them that ort to be locked up not the dogs. I will be thinking of you and your plite. Keeping you and your dog in my thoughts and prayers. i hope it goes in your favour

[Maddogfan]

I'm so sorry to hear about you and your dog. I hope you win the court cases all are thought are with you at this hard time

[mermaid2708]

sorry to hear about what has happened to you and also your dog which you kindly gave a home to. unfortunatly though i have to say that from the photo i am not sure it is a staffie...its nose seems to be reddish in colour which may mean it is a pitt cross of some sort which means it would be on the illegal list here in the uk. i wish you good luck though.

[Spicy_VV]

Why would the red nose mean the dog is a "pit" cross?

[CountryGirl]

This is a very sad, sad story.

This should be a lesson for people here in the states. Be careful of allowing the government to remove others rights because the next right that they remove may very well be one that you would like very much to keep.

[staffilover]

unfortunatly though i have to say that from the photo i am not sure it is a staffie...its nose seems to be reddish in colour which may mean it is a pitt cross

oh, thats ok then. its ok that the authorities can seize a dog simply on how it looks.

which means it would be on the illegal list here in the uk

do you know exactly what they class as "pit type" and illegal in the uk?

even if the dog has no "pit" whatsoever in it.?

a large staff could be classed as illegal, a labrador crossed with a staff, a boxer crossed with a labrador. these could be classed as "pit type"

[CerbiesMom]

I'm so sorry for you and Coco, I hope you get her back. Keep us udated.

[Dusty]

What a very sad story..and it seems that pets are easy targets for the police. Why don't they go after drug dealers dogs etc..the ones that are dangerous...simply probaly because they are!! Get as much publicity as you can.. and good luck and I hope your dog is back with you again soon.

[applesmom]

ana have you tried insisting on a DNA test at your own expense? If they'll go along with that you could have your dog back in a matter of days!

[lynnie]

This story has made me very angry,:mad: if the dog was not out of control even if they thought it could be a Pit type (whatever that is) they should explain to you what is going to happen and be a bit more understanding, you've had her spayed which is in conjuction with the dangerous dogs act so where does the law stand, please please dont feel you have let her down because you havent, you tried to give her the best and its our stupid laws that cant distinquise between the breeds, a dna test if you can afford it is a good idea and would settle things once and for all, please keep us posted and my heart and thoughts are with you, keep your chin up and i hope it all turns out ok in the end

[staffilover]

What a very sad story..and it seems that pets are easy targets for the police. Why don't they go after drug dealers dogs etc..the ones that are dangerous...simply probaly because they are!! Get as much publicity as you can.. and good luck and I hope your dog is back with you again soon.


they shouldnt even taget drug dealers dogs, they should target the drug dealers that are using and abusing this breed to their own ends

[staffilover]

ana have you tried insisting on a DNA test at your own expense? If they'll go along with that you could have your dog back in a matter of days!
unfortunately they wont do this, if one of their "breed experts" say a dog is pit type then it is pit type:rolleyes: end of story then they are wisked off to the kennels and there they stay for up to 12 months till the case is heard.

[Monkey]

about the red nose.. English staffordshire bullterrier are suposed to have a black nose, but The Eng staff CAN be dudley (rednosed) wich means that it might be a cross. The amstaff is suposed to be only black nosed. However rednose is common amongst pits, I've had a couple myself. It might be Eng staff, it might be pit or mix, HOWEVER, Im sick and tired of people sezing dogs with good behaviours and proper familys.

Reference to breed standards:
American staffordshire:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/index.cfm
"Nose definitely black."

English staffordshire Bullterrier:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/index.cfm
" short foreface, black nose. Pink (Dudley) nose to be considered a serious fault. "

and Im very sorry for what happened. I own a terrier mix and I'd go nuts.. :(
*hugs*

[Timbo]

This really gets under my skin.

There's no real evidence to support that PB types are naturally killers. To top it off, many dogs that probably have no actual PB in them will be put down because 'they look the type'.

This makes me so angry. It's just another pointless attempt to pander to mass public misconceptions - to be seen to be doing something - basically about a point that is unfounded.

Is their some campaign against this ridiculous law? I'd certainly like to get involved.

[Dusty]

Have you ever seen Ceasar Milan with his pack of dogs.. lots of them are Pitbulls and really lovely. It is the owners most times that cause the problems.. have dogs they can't control etc. or else it is a macho thing. However the dog we are all talking about here sounds lovely, and what a shame that because it "looks" like something then it has to be a dangerous dog in some peoples eyes. Why not temperment test dogs instead.. most would probaly lick you to death given the chance.

[Melamaphine]

I think in the breed standard for the SBT in the UK it states that only a black nose is acceptable. Therefore, under the DD Act, any dog deviating from this and bearing the bull terrier type physique is in danger of being seized. This poor dog does look an awful lot like the Pitbulls you see advertised on websites in the UK, and the police have an absolute right to seize it if it bears any resemblamce to a pitbull 'type'.

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you, hopefully you can prove that the dog is friendly and then she will be saved, there are a numer of organisations that can help you. I think someone mentioned the deed not breed one? It makes me so angry that dogs are left to pay for the greed and stupidity of people.

[ana]

thanks everyone for all the quick replies!
unfortunately my boy had the computer yesterday and I could not check the forum straight away.
We just had a phone call from the police (thursd14/02/08 10:34a.m.)(happy valentines!!!) and we already have a police dog handler assigned to our case, she also said that she's gonna be check by an expert within the next two weeks. This means that whatever happens (pit or not) we will get the court paper in about 3 weeks.
She did call yesterday aswell to say she had been playing with Coco for 20 minutes the day before, and I do believe it. She also pointed that the day they took her at some point they decided that it was a waste of time cos we were reponsible owners but they had already informed their superior and when they called back he basically said that if they've stopped us they had to take the dog.

Apart from this 'm feeling better, my mum says that after what Coco has been through she is probably used to changes, not that the change is for the better but she has definetly been around the block a bit.
she is not the kind of dog whose been with us all the way since being a pupp.
Apparently the metropolitan police kennels are arrange by a private company and the police insisted it has to be a good place otherwise the R.S.P.C.A. will close them.

I think Coco has got Pit on her (the nose, the hight etc, but I am no expert), now is a matter of behaviour and I know she is lovely plus our behaviour and we are nice, so once again is all down to the judge. The police who took her will appear in court and it seems that they are in our side so that's good.
We didn't choose a Pit Bull, the it bull chose us! I would have kept her even if she was a chihuahua or a great dane.
I don't belong to any macho culture or walk around with my dog cos she looks mean.
I found a dog and kept her to give her a better life.

Anyway, the good point about all this is that my boyfriend and I are getting married at the end of the year and moving to Spain.
I didn't want Coco to fly cos I thought it will be stressing for her so we are gonna drive.
That means driving through France,where we just found out Pits are Ilegal, so in a way going through all this if it ends the right way will mean that she won't have future problems.
it feel silly saying what I just say, cos the whole thing is unfair beginning to end but I have to find a positive side to look at.

Anyway, I'm off to a farm in the isle of dogs, I booked horse ridding for valentines with my boyfriend.

Answering a few questions:
DNA test: all support groups who have dealt with cases like this said to wait til the expert decides
PIT or NOT: if they think it looks like one they'll take it, that's it.then you go to court to get it back. It can be pit with staff, pit with labrador, sardine with cocker...it just has to fit in a pit description even if it has never seen a pit in his family (then maybe DNA testing)
LAW: I wanna point that there is no way to include your dog in the list of exempted dogs without going through the nightmare. This means stressing dogs and owners, expensive kennels, court fees, waste of everybodys time etc.

Deed not Breed and S.A.V.E.D. are the two groups we are getting advice from, you can find any relevant nfo on their sites.

Lots of love on Valentines day for everyone!
xxx

[staffilover]

Deed not Breed and S.A.V.E.D. are the two groups we are getting advice from, you can find any relevant nfo on their sites.



you are in the best hands. good luck.

[skunkstripe]

ana it sounds like things are looking up. Again, bless you for giving Coco a loving home. I really hope everything goes in your favor.

[vixen]

I so so sorry you have to go through this.

Your getting advice from the best people, I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Tom Cruise]

I think Coco has got Pit on her (the nose, the hight etc, but I am no expert), now is a matter of behaviour and I know she is lovely plus our behaviour and we are nice, so once again is all down to the judge. The police who took her will appear in court and it seems that they are in our side so that's good.
I didn't know that judges gave discretion in dangerous dog cases, I was under the impression that it was more of a 'if the blood fits' situation

[staffilover]

I didn't know that judges gave discretion in dangerous dog cases, I was under the impression that it was more of a 'if the blood fits' situation

its up to the judge if the dog is allowed to go home or be destroyed.

[tankman12]

Sorry to hear about your situation. Hopefully the judge will take Coco's demeanor and the family's kindness into consideration when the case finally makes it to court. Wish you and Coco all the best during this terrible time.

[ana]

thanks everyone for your support.
I have really good news;
I spoke to the guy who rescued Coco from the person who used her for breeding.
he is friends with a couple who had their dog taken for 7 years; they are the ones who effectively got the dangerous dogs law amended in the UK and the first to get their dog onto the 'list of exempted dogs'.
I am going to get in contact with them to get some advice.
I'm generally feeling much more optimistic!
Once again thanks for all the support
I will keep u updated.
x
Ana

[skunkstripe]

ana that is wonderful news. If anyone can help you I would think it would be that couple. What they must have gone through! Again, best of luck to you!

[Monkey]

That is good news, I hope you get her back!!!

[ana]

Hi!
once again thanks everyone for the kind words specially non bull terrier dog owners as it shows a great amount of understanding and humanity to take the time to look and leave a message support.
here's a few pics.
xx

[tankman12]

Very pretty dog. Hope everything turns out for the good.:)

[Dusty]

It sounds as though you are going to be lucky and get your dog back. What a terrible experience to have to go through..good luck with it all.

[lynnie]

Sounds like things are looking up for you, i hope it wont be long before you get your baby back. good luck:)

[staffilover]

i really hate to put a dampner on this, as i really wholeheartedly hope she gets her baby back, but just because these cases go to court it dosent mean that the outcome is going to be good. i think the best thing to tell people in this situation is expect the worse and hope for the best.

having said that i truely hope that the dog is allowed home where it belongs.

stupid B.S.L.:mad:

[Tracii]

Hi Ana, sorry only just read your story. I am so sorry that Coco was taken away from you like that. She sounds like a real treasure and looks lovely. To have gone through all of that and still be a balanced dog must prove that she is not an aggressive dog. I hope the judge see's it this way too. Sending you lots of prayers. Keep us updated if you can.

[ana]

Thanks everyone!

quick update

Adviced by Amanda (EDDR) we have written a letter to the superintendent in charge of dog wellfare asking about Coco's health.
We sent a letter to our local MP aswell.

we are still waitting for the dog expert to check Coco, hopefully will be done next week!.

We've heard about a dog who was returned in 6 weeks (in London), let's hope for that1
x

ana

P.S. I think this is a cool pic!

[lynnie]

keeping my fingers crossed for you

[Tracii]

Just wondering if any one knows how things turned out?
Hope everything went well for them.

[staffilover]

i believe coco has been returned home....

yay!

[Tracii]

That is good news, they must be so so relieved. :)

[vinya12]

These may be silly questions , but have you contacted a solicitor and have you been given a crime reference number .Do you know who is dealing with the case. ? Also you should find the police man who you first took the dog to, as he is responsible for letting you take the dog away. I would want him to do a statement on how he said the dog was a SBT , also you could ask your solicitor to do you a contract saying you will keep the dog muzzled when in public, and present this to the court.
Don't give up hun, if I can help let me know .
SORRY JUST READ THE LAST FEW POST. LOL

[ana]

hiya!
sorry I took so long to reply, I had no internet.
GOOD NEWS!!!
I went to court 2 weeks ago and I am getting Coco back;
I have paid for the insurance and registered her on the list of exempted dogs already but it takes 2 weeks to show on the system that the insurance has been paid for so we have to wait bit longer.
I am happy even though we have to wait and I don't know how she will be like (healthwise)
anyway, I will keep you informed!
x
ana

[vinya12]

WELL DONE thats great news. lets hope she's ok and can soon be a normal dog again .
realy happy for you and her. hugs x

[Monkey]

YAY!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

im so glad for you guys!!!!!! *bounces around*
W00000T!!!!!!!!

[staffilover]

These may be silly questions , but have you contacted a solicitor and have you been given a crime reference number .Do you know who is dealing with the case. ? Also you should find the police man who you first took the dog to, as he is responsible for letting you take the dog away. I would want him to do a statement on how he said the dog was a SBT , also you could ask your solicitor to do you a contract saying you will keep the dog muzzled when in public, and present this to the court.
Don't give up hun, if I can help let me know .
SORRY JUST READ THE LAST FEW POST. LOL


under the dangerous dogs act none of these things you've suggested mean diddly...

the lady in question has now had her dog returned thanks to deed not breed.

[blunder paws]

YAY that is fantastic news, I'm so please for you and her. Lets hope she is returned back health and happy and settle back into a happy and loving home. Group hug:grouphug:

[lisa child]

omg how sad im very sorry for you and hope you win the case

[ana]

Hi!
I have news...good news i suppose.
I went to pick up Coco from the police station yesterday.
I am really happy to have her back but at the same time i have been feeling sick since she returned.
She has this marks around her face, they look like they are healing but you can tell they used tobe really nasty.
She is missing hair all around her nose . I have been told that she probably made them herself trying to get out of the kennel ( with metal bars).
She stinks...
absolutetly disgusting smell wich makes me think she has been doing poo and wee where she slept.
Anyway, i am gonna take some pictures and I will post them becouse I can't really explain the wounds she's got.
Apart from that I think she is really happy to be here!tired, she spent all noon sleeping, but she deserves some rest.

Lots of love
ana

[Melamaphine]

That's great news, i'm so pleased she has someone like you who clearly loves her so much. I hope her wounds get better soon, poor thing.

May i ask what the conclusion of the case was? Just out of interest, did they say she is a pit but let her out for being friendly, or did they decide that she wasn't a pit and let her go?

All the best to you and Coco xx:cheers:

[cassblonde]

Give her an extra hug and kiss from me - stinky or no - poor girl. I'm glad you have her back with you, what a horrid experience for you and poor Coco.

Both you and she will be in my thoughts today - feel better! :)

[Borzoi mad]

So pleased that you have Coco back and hope her wounds heal soon and that she has no lasting after effects poor girl.

[vinya12]

so glad you have her back. poor thing what have they done to her.maybe you could take them to court for miss treating her :(. at least its all over and you have her back. give her a hug from me poor baby

[skunkstripe]

Thanks for the update. I am so glad to hear Coco is back home. Please give her a belly rub from me. :)

[blunder paws]

YAY!!!!!! i'm so glad she is back where she belongs, WITH YOU. Sorry to here she's not in the best of shape. :(

[Monkey]

Poor poch! she is lucky to have you!!!
Hope that everything goes good for you guys from now on.

[Dusty]

That is good news..your dog is back home so enjoy her.

[Roxy n Marlee]

hiya!
sorry I took so long to reply, I had no internet.
GOOD NEWS!!!
I went to court 2 weeks ago and I am getting Coco back;
I have paid for the insurance and registered her on the list of exempted dogs already but it takes 2 weeks to show on the system that the insurance has been paid for so we have to wait bit longer.
I am happy even though we have to wait and I don't know how she will be like (healthwise)
anyway, I will keep you informed!
x
ana


Ana, thats brilliant, I started with tears feeling your pain, but boy am I bawling now!

Glad she back home! You one lucky Girl Coco!

[youngangel77]

I haven't posted about this, but have been following your story, and i am over the moon that you have her back with sum1 that loves her and cares for her, and i hope she returns to full health straight away.
I just find it baffling why they didn't question her breed when you 1st took her to the police station. I understand why these laws are in place, but there are better ways of handling these situations, she was from a loving home, and certainly wasn't showing any signs of a dangerous dog, I have always been around staffs, my aunty had one, and my neighbours have 2,and have always been playful, obiediant(sp) and gentle. I think they need to concentrate on a better system, for people like yourselves that actually care and dedicate their time to theri pets, so when something like this does occur, you get your pet back in the quickest time possible, ie, a week...not months.

But good news ey...i'm really pleased for you x

[spoiltbully]

were so glad you got her back