A WIRRAL family have been left heartbroken after their dog was seized by police.
Nicola Beattie, from Rock Ferry, said she and her two teenage children were “absolutely terrified” when police arrived to remove their pocket bully puppy, Max.
Police were called after the six-month-old dog had been reported for “growling” at a support worker who visited Nicola’s home.
Nicola, 50, said she believed Max was frightened by the support worker and moved him into the kitchen.
She told the Globe: “A couple of days later a police officer came out to the house and said she was here to speak to me because Max had been reported as a dangerous dog. I was quite shocked when she told me him growling at someone was an offence.
“She did a check on where Max sleeps and eats and asked me questions about his general care. I'd never seen Max growl at someone before so I told her I had nothing to hide. She said she could clearly see how much we love our animals and that everything should be fine.”
However, a week later on the evening of Wednesday, September 27, two Merseyside Police cars and a Matrix van arrived at Nicola’s house.
Nicola described the experience as “shocking” and “absolutely terrifying”.
She said: “My kids were so upset by what they were doing it was such a horrible experience. They had riot shields and chains with them it was so over the top. I felt so intimidated and felt like they were making me look like I had committed some sort of terrible crime.
“The whole ordeal was just to remove our family pet who is not a dangerous dog.
“I asked them if they had a warrant to take my dog and they said no but that they were allowed to take him under the Dangerous Dog Act. One of the officers explained to me that she wasn’t taking him because of the previous growling complaint but because they had reviewed the footage of the house visit and they believed Max looked like a Pit Bull.
“I asked what that meant and they said that because they believe he is a banned breed they need to take him through the Dangerous Dog Act.”
What is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991?
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom prohibiting or restricting certain types of dogs and codifying the criminal offence of allowing a dog of any breed to be dangerously out of control.
There are currently four illegal dog breeds in the UK: the Pit Bull terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro. It is illegal to own, breed or sell these dog breeds.
Last month, Rishi Sunak announced that he would be adding XL Bully dogs to the list of banned breeds by the end of the year stating they were a “danger to our communities” following a spate of attacks.
Nicola added: “I was horrified that these officers were going to surround my puppy with riot shields and put him in the back of a van on a chain so I asked if I was able to walk him out myself with his harness which I did. It was so upsetting. I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life.”
Now Nicola worries about what will happen next with Max as she waits to find out if he classifies as a dangerous dog breed.
Nicola said: “None of my dogs have even bitten or been vicious towards anyone. We got Max to keep our other bulldog company. He’s part of our family.
“I took Max in because his owner was sick with cancer and having a puppy became too much for him. We’ve taken Max under our wing and trained him and he’s come on so well. He’s so lovely and affectionate. It’s heartbreaking.
“I’m worried that his behaviour will deteriorate now he is in kennels and all our hard work will be erased. It’s so distressing to think about.”
Nicola is now urging other dog owners to insure their pets and get proof of their breed.
She said: “It’s so important to get your dog neutered and microchipped. I didn’t know about any of this until Max was taken away and I have since found out that a pocket bully isn’t a determined or recognised breed so now I just have to wait to see what police find he is crossed with.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "The dog is currently waiting to be assessed as a suspected banned breed.
"The owner gave consent for the dog to receive any treatment should it be required and has been spoken to."
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