Killing Dogs In The UK - No Mercy For Pitbulls In Merseyside
Has the world gone mad? No - but Englishmen have. The Brits - no strangers to breed discrimination - have just upped the ante with a new program to kill more dogs.
In a new "pitbull amnesty" program, police in Merseyside (isn't that the famous place where the Beatles got their start?) are urging the public to:
"Hand Over An Illegal Dog - Without Prosection"
"Between 7 and 13 February 2007 owners of illegal dogs have the opportunity to co-operate with the police and hand them over for humane destruction without being prosecuted".
What they really means is turn over your pitbull so we can kill it. The city of Merseyside is on a killing spree - and like the doggie Gestapo - they won't be happy until every last pitbull is chipped, tagged or dead.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans the following types of dogs:
- Pit Bull type
- Dogo Argentino
- Japenese Tosa
- Fila Braziliero
And by the way - police are urging friends to turn in friends, or neighbors, or relatives or anyone else to report "illegal dogs". The actually have a hotline number set up!
They've even put up a website to answer Frequently Asked Questions (about killing your dog), such as..............................
(How To Kill Your Dog)
"Merseyside Police and our partner agencies encourage responsible dog ownership".
That's why Merseyside Chief Bernard Hogan-Howe has some tips for you in their "Guide To Handing Over An Illegal Dog:
- How to hand over an illegal dog
- Characteristics of an illegal dog
- Frequently asked questions
- Conditions
Characteristics Of An Illegal Dog
| Appearance | Muscular smooth-haired dog |
| Average height | 45-55 cm |
| Head shape | Wedge shaped when viewed from the top or side, round when viewed from the front. |
| Ears | Located high on the skull, tips of ears fold forward or sideways, sometimes they are cropped. |
| Legs | Front legs are straight and give a solid impression. Hips are long and broad they have relatively long hind legs with a well-muscled thigh. |
| Colour | Can be any colour |
| Tail | Located low down in hindquarters, thick at base tapering to point at end narrows to a slender tip. |
MERSEYSIDE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Can I leave my dog at the local police station? |
No, you cannot take dogs to police stations to hand them over. This is due to the kennelling arrangements required. You should keep the dog at home, and call 0151 709 6010, we will then arrange collection of the animal. |
| Who will decide if a dog is illegal? |
Merseyside Police has a team of officers trained in identifying illegal dogs. These officers will provide advice to owners where necessary. In the event of a dispute the courts will make the final decision. |
| Will dogs that are a danger to the public be seized? |
Yes, Merseyside Police and/or our partner agencies will always seize any dog that is believed to be a threat to the owner, their household or the general public. |
| I own a dangerous dog; although it is not an illegal breed can I hand it over? |
No, the hand over is for illegal dogs only. If you have a dangerous dog you must seek advice from your vet. If the owner, keeper or the person in charge of a dog fails to keep the dog under control they will face prosecution. |
| What if I refuse to give up my illegal dog? |
The hand over presents an opportunity for illegal dog owners or keepers to stay within the law. After the initiative there will be an enforcement period; owners or keepers of illegal dogs will face prosecution. They could face up to a £5000 fine and/or 6 months in prison and their dog may be destroyed. |
| Is there anybody other than the police that I can talk to about my illegal dog? |
There are various organisations and/or charities you can contact for general advice. Some examples are the Kennel Club on 020 7518 1020 or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) on 0870 3335 999. |
| Will all illegal dogs be destroyed? |
If the owner of an illegal dog chooses not to hand it over voluntarily then the dog will be seized. The court will then decide if the dog is to be destroyed. The owner may request that the dog be placed on the ‘Index of Exempted Dogs’, which is managed by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This index is a list of prohibited dogs that a court has decided need not be destroyed. |
| Are there rules for dogs successfully placed on the ‘Index of Exempted Dogs’? |
Yes, any dog on the index must be neutered, tattooed and micro-chipped. It must be kept on a lead and muzzled when in a public place. The owner must maintain insurance against the dog injuring anybody and the dog cannot be left in possession or control of anybody under the age of 16. |
| Is there financial assistance to neuter,tattoo and micro-chip a dog? |
The owner or keeper of an illegal dog that the court decides can be placed on the ‘Index of Exempted Dogs’ may receive financial assistance. For further information contact the Dogs' Trust on 020 7837 0006. |
| Will the illegal dog hand over help to reduce the problem of dangerous dogs in Merseyside? |
The hand over gives owners or keepers of illegal dogs an opportunity to come forward and avoid prosecution. By removing or ensuring these animals are in safe hands it will help to make Merseyside safer. |
| I suspect a relative,friend,colleague or neighbour owns an illegal dog can I report it to the police? |
Yes,it is in their interests for you to do so. After 13 February there will be a period of enforcement. Anybody who still has an illegal dog will face prosecution. They could face up to a £5000 fine and/or 6 months in prison and their dog maybe destroyed. - - -- ---- - - - - - - - --- - Sounds like Merseyside has been taking lessons in "kindness" from the likes of PETA and the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: Let the killing begin. |
It's Jackboot time in Jolly Old England!
Stomp, stomp, stomp go the jackboots,
Ping, ping, ping go the guns,
It's open season on all doggies,
Now we let the wankers have some fun!
Rat, rat, rat on your neighbours,
Oh, what a lark to turn them in!
Now that we've killed all the others
It's time for dog-hunting to begin!
Vote, vote, vote for the tyrants
Just go to Tesco for more gin,
It's such a shame about old Bobby,
His big smile and tail's wot did him in!
Posted by: Caveat | February 16, 2007 at 09:17 PM
In Merseyside sweet request to murder your pet,they have a pic of a pit,would it not be better to have a full colour of Tony Blair with his inane grin,and he is far more dangerous ,how many so far that have been killed in Iraq and Afghan,wont count the release of prisoners and other cock ups
Posted by: selwyn john marock | February 16, 2007 at 04:42 AM
yall should be trown in jail and killed you son of a bitch
Posted by: philip | February 12, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Did anyone else notice when the question was asked, "Will the illegal dog hand over help to reduce the problem of dangerous dogs in Merseyside?" the answer was in all actuality NO? The answer was that the owners could avoid prosecution and that Merseyside would be safer. Not that the problem of dangerous dogs will be address. As a matter of fact, it was asked if any dangerous dog could be handed over, the answer was no, only the illegal ones. What kind of sense does that make? I thought BSL originally came about to "save" everyone from dangerous dogs. I guess it just makes more sense to the British to "save" people from certain dangerous dogs.
I am going to England to visit my daughter and although I will miss by four-legged babies, I am glad that they will be home with their Daddy, safe. For now at least.
Posted by: Debra Ferland | February 09, 2007 at 05:45 PM
How very interesting. I had posted earlier regarding my white boxers who have "frightened" people, no bites and are now under FL law declared dangerous. The complaintaint who led the attack was proud to advise she was a former UK policewoman. Is this a national phobia or just limited to this locality?
Posted by: Jackie Sheldon | February 09, 2007 at 06:04 AM