need advice about my dog

hello, i have a dog we had the police aound today saying that people have complained about our dog saying we have a pit bull dog. we was told that
if we took our dog to the vets to get confirmation regaurding her breed no action would be taken.so we did that the vet advised the dog was a staff crossed with a bull mastiff. we showed the police this letter which we had to pay for they said no further action will be carried out. later on tonight i got a call from the police saying they wasnt happy with the letter and that they wanted a police dog handler to inspect our dog. if we did not allow this we would be arrested and a warrent for the dog would be issued.the police arrived at our house and examined the dog and said that it was a pit bull. we was given 3 options.1 destroy the dog ,2 get arrested for having a dangerous animal,3 go to court in front of a judge and see what he says. we choose option 3 as our dog is a loving freindly dog that is great with our children.we have been told we have got to do several things before we are took to court over the dog ie. get the dog chipped and spaded we need insurence and the police man thinks the dog is pregnant too,the police said that we have to get the litter destroyed before she has them.the dog has only escaped twice out of our garden we only moved in to this property 3 weeks ago.we dont know what to do reguarding this matter as we dont want to lose our dog it will be heart breaking for the children and us.is there any advice you could please give us.many thanks

I am assumming you are in Ontario

no i live in the uk

first off welcome to the forum, unfortunately it's not under better circumstances.

Where did you get the dog from, how old is she. Do you have any paperwork from where you got her stating her breed. I too would fight it in court. I'm not sure what the uk laws are.

Ohhh sorry I can't help you there. I don't know the laws. If you look for some sort of pittie advocates on line there you may be able to get some help. Laws here in Canada are different then the UK. :sorry:

If I knew my pup was innocent, I would fight it too. If possible, find another vet or two, and without informing them why, ask them for a breed evaluation. Have them sign affidavits if necessary. These can be used in a court of law. Sometimes, if you're willing to fight back, they back off. Too costly for them.

I realize you're in the U.K. There is a ban here in Ontario for owning a "pitbull" which can be any breed staff, crosses etc. that "resembles a pitbull". But those that still have "pitbulls" are allowed to keep them until they pass on if dog is always in a secure fenced backyard, and when walked must be on a leash and muzzled.

If I were you I'd start muzzling your dog immediately when out for walkies if you aren't already doing so. Take option 3 and tell the judge the dog is muzzled when walked and have photos as evidence, therefore cannot bite (even tho she doesn't). The problem is that "pitbulls" have this reputation of being unprovoked biters, whether it's justified or not, and there are numerous instances where people or other animals have been attacked and bitten and even killed and owners said, "He's never bitten anyone before". Also you should comply with police suggestions: get dog spayed (immediately), chipped and insurance. As for the dog escaping the backyard, you must make sure this is impossible, otherwise you may lose the case and have to surrender your dog. Good luck. :fingerscr Keep us posted.

Here's some additional information:

Dangrous Dogs Act 1991 (c65)

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_19910065_en_1.htm

And a recent appeal Dec. 19, 2008 to the Act by The Kennel Club:

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2205/23/5/3

I do not know whether this appeal has passed approval.

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/

Champdogs is a UK forum and the folks there might be better able to advise you.

oops. Just came back to edit and say didn't mean to sound if I was saying, Go Away. We do have folks from the UK posting here and some of them may be able to help out as well.

I don't have any better advice to give, except for: be very vigilant, comply with the Police as much as possible, meaning, do what they told you, definitely get the dog spayed, chipped and whatever else needs to be done, and have her always on leash and muzzled (that alone will cover your back more than you may think). If she escapes the back yard - put her on a chain when in the back yard, any of those alternatives are better than losing your dog altogether.
Most of all, I wish you lots of luck and patience in this worthy fight. Your girl is not to blame for these stupid laws, and she should not pay with her life.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I realize you're in the U.K. There is a ban here in Ontario for owning a "pitbull" which can be any breed staff, crosses etc. that "resembles a pitbull". But those that still have "pitbulls" are allowed to keep them until they pass on if dog is always in a secure fenced backyard, and when walked must be on a leash and muzzled.



I live in Ontario and am aware of the BSL - the sad part is, an Animal Control Officer mistook my Australian Cattle Dog for a Staffie X!!!!!!!! I just about fell over!!!

Of course, I have her Pedigree saying she's an ACD, but it goes to show you how little they do know about the different dog breeds......I would fight it tooth & nail and if you can get any type of paperwork outlining her background, it may help.