Post by staffymonkey on Feb 6, 2007 10:54:00 GMT 1
Below is a press release direct from Merseyside Police.
The Amnesty begins tomorrow. No mention of the Amendment of 1997 which states that not destruction of breeds and types is NOT mandatory if a judge is satisfied that they are of no danger to the public (ie: a family pet) . NO chances to apply to add dogs to the Index of Registered Dogs.
DeedNOTBreed would like the owners of dogs who could be deemed of type to know that:
Amnesties mean you can hand your dog over to the police if you suspect it is of ‘pit bull type’.
You won’t be prosecuted for owning the dog. However, you dog will pay a heavy penalty: IF DEEMED ‘OF TYPE’ AND SIGNED OVER, YOUR DOG WILL DIE. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.
If you don’t hand over your dog under the amnesty, it is later seized, and you DON’T SIGN IT OVER, you have the right to fight through the courts to save your pet’s life by proving that your dog poses no threat to the public.
You are under no legal obligation to hand over dogs under the Amnesty.
You are also under no legal obligation to sign seized dogs over to be destroyed.
Know your rights.
Visit www.deednotbreed.org.uk or call our helplines on:
08700345562- dnb South
08700345563- dnb North
08700345564-dnb Main line
PRESS RELEASE FROM MERSEYSIDE POLICE:
'Merseyside Police is urging local people to hand in their illegal dogs.
From 7 February to 13 February owners of dogs banned by Dangerous Dogs legislation will be able to hand in their animals without fear of prosecution.
It’s the next step in a long-running initiative in the county to promote responsible dog ownership and crackdown on the criminal and anti-social use of dogs.
This is a national issue but one which Merseyside Police and its partners are determined to tackle.
The hand in runs from 7am on Wednesday, 7 February until the end of Tuesday, 13 February. During that period, Merseyside residents who have an illegal dog should contact police on 0151 709 6010. Do not abandon your dog and do not take it to a police station. Arrangements will be made for your dog to be collected from you.
Anyone who co-operates with the police and hands in an illegal dangerous dog for humane destruction will not be prosecuted for the possession or custody of the dog.
There are four types of dog identified as bred specifically for fighting and so made illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It would appear that the main problem on Merseyside is with pit-bull terrier types. However, the hand in is aimed at people with any of these illegal dangerous dogs.
Much has already been done over recent months by Merseyside Police and their partners through Operation Dogsafe. That work has helped to educate the public about the legal and social responsibilities of dog ownership and to tackle criminality. The hand in is the next step in helping to protect the public and ensure people stay within the law.
It is aimed at those people who may not have understood the implications of owning an illegal dangerous dog. It is also for those who no longer want to take the risk of owning them.
Merseyside Police is offering the opportunity to co-operate with us without fear of prosecution. The responsibility rests with the owner to make the call, arrange the hand in and prevent someone else being maimed or killed.
It is hoped that the initiative, being run by Merseyside Police with the five local authorities, will remove as many illegal dogs as possible before a targeted enforcement campaign. Owners or keepers of illegal dogs who do not come forward during the hand in period could face a £5000 fine and 6 months imprisonment.
During the hand in period, the public is asked to continue to report the whereabouts of illegal dangerous dogs. Where information is given about owners or keepers who do not wish to hand the dogs over voluntarily, police will seize them.
Be assured, the authorities are continuing to act against anyone who misuses their dog. Prosecutions will be sought against those who commit criminal offences involving dangerous dogs and any owners who fail to act responsibly.
Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "We want you to hand in illegal dogs, including the pit bull and pit bull type.
"You may not agree with the hand in but I am sure all parents will want to prioritise the safety of their children above the affection for their dogs."
In the longer term, Merseyside Police is calling for a considered review of the legislation. There are clear issues around the registration or licensing of dogs and more to be done to ensure tougher penalties for those owners who fail in their responsibilities or commit a criminal offence involving a dangerous dog.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the initiative and anyone who wants to hand in their illegal dog is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151
709 6010.
Anyone with information about where illegal dogs are being kept, bred, or used in illegal dogfighting are asked to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Information will be acted on.
Anyone who sees a dog acting dangerously in a public place, or who believes a dog to be out of control, is asked to contact the police on 0151 709 6010. In an emergency always contact 999.
(See attached file: FINAL A3 POSTER.pdf)
Communication and
Marketing
Department
PO Box 59 Tel: 0151 777 Fax 0151 777 Newsline 09068 55 77
Liverpool L69 1JD 8566/8570 8569 25
If you doubt our sources, please visit the BBC website – they received the same press release as us:
BBC 'DANGEROUS DOGS ARTICLE': news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/6334241.stm
PLEASE crosspost and forward - many people don't know that they are under no obligation to sign over or participate in the amnesty, and as such, will hand their best friends over to their deaths .
The Amnesty begins tomorrow. No mention of the Amendment of 1997 which states that not destruction of breeds and types is NOT mandatory if a judge is satisfied that they are of no danger to the public (ie: a family pet) . NO chances to apply to add dogs to the Index of Registered Dogs.
DeedNOTBreed would like the owners of dogs who could be deemed of type to know that:
Amnesties mean you can hand your dog over to the police if you suspect it is of ‘pit bull type’.
You won’t be prosecuted for owning the dog. However, you dog will pay a heavy penalty: IF DEEMED ‘OF TYPE’ AND SIGNED OVER, YOUR DOG WILL DIE. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.
If you don’t hand over your dog under the amnesty, it is later seized, and you DON’T SIGN IT OVER, you have the right to fight through the courts to save your pet’s life by proving that your dog poses no threat to the public.
You are under no legal obligation to hand over dogs under the Amnesty.
You are also under no legal obligation to sign seized dogs over to be destroyed.
Know your rights.
Visit www.deednotbreed.org.uk or call our helplines on:
08700345562- dnb South
08700345563- dnb North
08700345564-dnb Main line
PRESS RELEASE FROM MERSEYSIDE POLICE:
'Merseyside Police is urging local people to hand in their illegal dogs.
From 7 February to 13 February owners of dogs banned by Dangerous Dogs legislation will be able to hand in their animals without fear of prosecution.
It’s the next step in a long-running initiative in the county to promote responsible dog ownership and crackdown on the criminal and anti-social use of dogs.
This is a national issue but one which Merseyside Police and its partners are determined to tackle.
The hand in runs from 7am on Wednesday, 7 February until the end of Tuesday, 13 February. During that period, Merseyside residents who have an illegal dog should contact police on 0151 709 6010. Do not abandon your dog and do not take it to a police station. Arrangements will be made for your dog to be collected from you.
Anyone who co-operates with the police and hands in an illegal dangerous dog for humane destruction will not be prosecuted for the possession or custody of the dog.
There are four types of dog identified as bred specifically for fighting and so made illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It would appear that the main problem on Merseyside is with pit-bull terrier types. However, the hand in is aimed at people with any of these illegal dangerous dogs.
Much has already been done over recent months by Merseyside Police and their partners through Operation Dogsafe. That work has helped to educate the public about the legal and social responsibilities of dog ownership and to tackle criminality. The hand in is the next step in helping to protect the public and ensure people stay within the law.
It is aimed at those people who may not have understood the implications of owning an illegal dangerous dog. It is also for those who no longer want to take the risk of owning them.
Merseyside Police is offering the opportunity to co-operate with us without fear of prosecution. The responsibility rests with the owner to make the call, arrange the hand in and prevent someone else being maimed or killed.
It is hoped that the initiative, being run by Merseyside Police with the five local authorities, will remove as many illegal dogs as possible before a targeted enforcement campaign. Owners or keepers of illegal dogs who do not come forward during the hand in period could face a £5000 fine and 6 months imprisonment.
During the hand in period, the public is asked to continue to report the whereabouts of illegal dangerous dogs. Where information is given about owners or keepers who do not wish to hand the dogs over voluntarily, police will seize them.
Be assured, the authorities are continuing to act against anyone who misuses their dog. Prosecutions will be sought against those who commit criminal offences involving dangerous dogs and any owners who fail to act responsibly.
Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "We want you to hand in illegal dogs, including the pit bull and pit bull type.
"You may not agree with the hand in but I am sure all parents will want to prioritise the safety of their children above the affection for their dogs."
In the longer term, Merseyside Police is calling for a considered review of the legislation. There are clear issues around the registration or licensing of dogs and more to be done to ensure tougher penalties for those owners who fail in their responsibilities or commit a criminal offence involving a dangerous dog.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the initiative and anyone who wants to hand in their illegal dog is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151
709 6010.
Anyone with information about where illegal dogs are being kept, bred, or used in illegal dogfighting are asked to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Information will be acted on.
Anyone who sees a dog acting dangerously in a public place, or who believes a dog to be out of control, is asked to contact the police on 0151 709 6010. In an emergency always contact 999.
(See attached file: FINAL A3 POSTER.pdf)
Communication and
Marketing
Department
PO Box 59 Tel: 0151 777 Fax 0151 777 Newsline 09068 55 77
Liverpool L69 1JD 8566/8570 8569 25
If you doubt our sources, please visit the BBC website – they received the same press release as us:
BBC 'DANGEROUS DOGS ARTICLE': news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/6334241.stm
PLEASE crosspost and forward - many people don't know that they are under no obligation to sign over or participate in the amnesty, and as such, will hand their best friends over to their deaths .