The tragic death of a 17-month-old baby girl in Merseyside after being mauled by a dog has prompted police to investigate if the animal was on the list of banned dogs. The dog was destroyed following the fatal attack and a forensic examination will take place to establish its breed.
The animal had been bought by the little girl's family just a week before the attack. The family are being supported by specially trained officers following the incident in Bidston Avenue, St Helens, on Monday afternoon (March 21).
The police investigation will seek to determine if the animal is, or isn't, a legal breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991). In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog.
it is also the law to sell a banned dog, abandon a banned dog, give away a banned dog, breed from a banned dog. Its breed or name. Below, we look at the four banned dogs in the UK.
Pit Bull Terrier
Pit Bull Terriers were banned in 1991 following a series of incidents involving this breed. There were 15 fatal attacks in England and Wales from 1981 to 1991.
Pit Bulls were bred for fighting and had been used in blood sports such as bear and bull baiting. There were also used in dog fighting.
Japanese Tosa
Japanese Tosa have a very high pain tolerance due to their fighting origins in Asia. Tosas were often referred to as the 'Sumo wrestler of the dog world'.
Dog-fighting rules in the last century in Japan demanded that dogs fight silently, without cowering, and the Tosa fought by these rules—relentlessly and silently, Dog Breed Info reports.
Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a pack-hunting dog, the American Kennel Club says. It was bred for the pursuit of big game including wild boar and puma. It "possesses the strength, intelligence and quick responsiveness of a serious athlete".
As well as being banned in the UK, there are restrictions on ownership in other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Iceland and Norway.
Fila Brasileiro
This breed was developed in Brazil as a large game hunting dog and is also know as the Brazilian Mastif. DogTime.com says: "This massive dog probably isn’t the best choice for novice pet parents or people who live in apartments, as the Fila Brasileiro needs firm, experienced training and a lot of space to run around.
"The breed is banned in several countries where these dogs are considered aggressive."
If you have a banned dog
If you have a banned dog, the police or local council dog warden can take it away and keep it, even if:
- it is not acting dangerously
- there has not been a complaint
The police may need permission from a court to do this.
If your dog is in:
- a public place, the police do not need a warrant
- a private place, the police must get a warrant
- a private place and the police have a warrant for something else (like a drugs search), they can seize your dog
A police or council dog expert will judge what type of dog you have and whether it is (or could be) a danger to the public. Your dog will then either be:
- released
- kept in kennels while the police (or council) apply to a court
You’re not allowed to visit your dog while you wait for the court decision.
There is also an Index of Exempted Dogs (IED) which means a court can decided that a banned dog is not a danger to the public. If you have a Certificate of Exemption the dog must be neutered, microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and kept in a secure place so it cannot escape.
