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‘My harmless pet was seized in swoop on dangerous dogs’
Owner calls for return of Staffordshire cross police say should be muzzled
A DOG owner is pressing for the return of his “harmless” pet, seized in a police crackdown on dangerous dogs in Camden.
Richard Webb, 25, a doctor’s assistant from Leybourne Street, Camden Town, had his Staffordshire cross dog Gem confiscated by officers a fortnight ago on the grounds it was a “pit bull-type”.
But Mr Webb insists Gem would not harm anyone. “I usually praise the police for this type of work – there are so many kids around here with crazy dogs – but it really kills me what they’ve done,” he said. “They couldn’t have taken a more harmless dog. I can’t sleep at night for worrying about her.”
The self-professed “dog nut” has two other pets, a cocker spaniel and an American bulldog.
Gem was seized during a four-day operation against illegal dog fighting and anti-social behaviour involving dogs on Camden’s streets.
Mr Webb was walking his three dogs at the enclosed area by Castlehaven Community Centre at 8pm when he was approached by police officers. An RSPCA dog expert identified Gem as a pit bull-type.
Mr Webb said: “I’ve never had any incident with my dogs. I’ve never bred my dogs. I’m a responsible owner. I really don’t think I’m the profile of a dog fighter.”
Mr Webb walks his dogs up to eight miles a day and hopes to become a professional dog trainer.
He believes the Dangerous Dogs Act, under which Gem was seized, should be reviewed to take the temperament of the dog into account.
“There’s thousands of these pit bull-type dogs in Camden and half of them aren’t dangerous,” he said. “It’s dangerous owners not dangerous dogs that are the problem.”
Under the law, Mr Webb can reclaim his dog if he acknowledges she is a pit bull-type, has her put on the dangerous dogs list and agrees to have her micro-chipped and muzzled.
He said: “Either I admit she’s a pit bull-type dog and get her home or she stays in kennels for a couple of months while I fight it out in the courts.”
A police spokeswoman said: “The owner will be invited to a court hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court to comply with certain conditions. If the court is satisfied the dog is not a risk to the public and the owner is responsible, the dog can be returned.” |
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