Puppies adopted from R S P C A end of last year

ballyduff · 22-09-2010, 19:11

we are trying to contact anyone who adopted puppies from the R S P C A at the end of last year, these were all named after vegetables, cabbage turnip , pepper etc.They are now being recalled for assessment after one was returned recently because it was too boistrous and one of the staff recognised some "pitbull characteristics".This otherwise healthy dog has now been put down. We are distraught about this and face having our dog assessed and possibly taken to kennels until it can be dealt with by the court. these are lovely dogs and have not done anything wrong. they were purchased in good faith as cross american bulldog/staffi.. Is this legal? please get in touch, thank you.

cgksheff · 22-09-2010, 19:22

You will have to go through your rehoming contract in detail.

I know they have clauses to repossess if the new owner fails to meet terms of care, but not sure if there are any to cover this situation.

If the dogs do have enough pitbull characteristics to meet requirements under the Dangerous Dogs Acts, it would be illegal for you to possess the dog and would have been illegal for the RSPCA to have sold/exchanged the dog.

Plain Talker · 22-09-2010, 21:04

if it has pb characteristics, won't the DD laws come into force to have it spayed/ neutered and Muzzled? Is it always automatic destruction?

(I can sort of see the reasoning to have it destroyed if it's aggressive:- a friend is very distressed as she had to have her Staffy put down a couple of weeks ago, after it went for her - by reason of increasing / escalating aggression, but this is the first staff I have known in my circle where this has had to be done to a staffy.)

I thought it was not illegal to own a PB, just illegal to have an un-muzzled, un neutered one? (and of course, to breed them)

ladyB · 22-09-2010, 21:26

I remember these pups cause I was looking at the one called Mash!!! what a shame. they were def advertised as american bull x staff.. there were also some post's on here suggesting they were mastif x..what a shame that oe had to be pts..

Evei · 23-09-2010, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgksheff

You will have to go through your rehoming contract in detail.

I know they have clauses to repossess if the new owner fails to meet terms of care, but not sure if there are any to cover this situation.

If the dogs do have enough pitbull characteristics to meet requirements under the Dangerous Dogs Acts, it would be illegal for you to possess the dog and would have been illegal for the RSPCA to have sold/exchanged the dog.

Oh that is so sad

A lot of people comment on our dog's 'pedigree' but as he was fully grown and from the RSPCA and had been there 4 months plus, so plently of time for them to make a decision over his breed so I'm sure we are ok....makes you think though.

Sounds like the local RSPCA's have rehomed 'pitt types' over the last few years and maybe not being as tight as they should be at identifying breeds. Sounds a bit like a back covering excerise to me which is very sad for the owners. It is illegal to own or rehome a pitt type dog so them and the owner could possibly be in trouble.

whitebull · 23-09-2010, 06:38

That's really sad, you must be so worried.I remember seeing those pups & thinking how lovely they were.

Did they not go into the RSPCA with the mother then? Or is it the father they are thinking was a pit?

Fancy being able to "re-call" a dog. It's like they are being classed as a faulty toy or something. Horrible.

ballyduff · 23-09-2010, 08:29

non as far as i know, they are double checking with the owners, but from what i gather you can breed any dogs say a labrador and a poodle and if the pups have "characteristics" that means not genetic they can be classed as a "pit bull type" how stupid is that!.

Pelican · 23-09-2010, 09:20

ballyduff - we are owners of one of the pups and received the call yeaterday from the RSPCA. I am so upset and shaking as i'm typing this. Our dog is so lovely and soft I don't know what i'll do if he gets taken off us.

ballyduff · 23-09-2010, 09:23

hi it is my daughter who owns the dog she is distraught and getting legal advice send me your no privately or i will send mine i think it disgraceful, and the owners should get together even though i do not think its what th rspca wants

Pelican · 23-09-2010, 09:25

I'm not sure how to send my number through IM could you send me a private message please

Pelican · 23-09-2010, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballyduff

hi it is my daughter who owns the dog she is distraught and getting legal advice send me your no privately or i will send mine i think it disgraceful, and the owners should get together even though i do not think its what th rspca wants

I think its disgraceful as well. I got my pup in good faith and can't face the thought of being parted from him. He is such a softie and hasn't an ounce of agression - our cat rules him.

I have managed to send you a PM please get in touch.

Lotti · 23-09-2010, 11:22

I believe this isn't as uncommon as people think. I've come across a few people who have rehomed 'staffy crosses' from rescues - and the pound - only to discover they have 'pit bull characteristics'.

A friend of mine across the country is currently in turmoil after he adopted a dog from the local pound a good while ago now and during a consultation with the vet recently, he was told that the dog fitted the description to be 'of type' and now he just doesn't know what to do. The dog hasn't been recalled but my friend doesn't know whether to speak up and get the dog registered, try to hide the dog or what.

I think it's shocking - not only that these dogs are rehomed only to be potentially taken away again but just the whole ridiculous BSL.

Good luck to you both with your pups, I truly hope it comes to nothing. Disgusting.

mummysaz21 · 23-09-2010, 15:59

i know somebody who owns a dog called cabbage who adopted from the rspca last year and possibly the dog coud be mistake for of the type but defenitly isent

Rainrescue · 23-09-2010, 16:04

There is a solicitor who may be able to offer advise.
Check out JUSTICE FOR DOGS. She asks you to join (which is £15.00 per annum membership) and we are members, I'm more than happy to pay such a minimal amount for all the work this woman does to help dogs and people in distress and need.

She may be able to advise you what you can all do.

What I could say though on their defence is 'what is pitt bull type'. I went around Battersea, behind the scenes to the dogs under assessment. It was a training course and we were asked to pick out 'Pitt Bulls' and PB types. I don't think anyone on the course agreed on what was or wasn't. I was amazed at what actually is PB type - and what an be cleared of being type - which I would have thought was.

This is what is so stupid of this law and I hope it gets sorted out soon.
Good luck all of you - push for that law anyone who loves dogs. The majority of these have done nothing wrong at all.

Berkana · 23-09-2010, 16:07

How awful

Must be devastsating to get that call!

However, it's perfectly possible for one or some dogs from the same litter to be classed as "of type", and some not. Let's hope they assess them on an individual basis - maybe some will be spared. And it doesn't matter who the parents were - they probably were staffy and AMB, but to this stupid bloody law - it makes no difference.

Evei · 23-09-2010, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotti

I believe this isn't as uncommon as people think. I've come across a few people who have rehomed 'staffy crosses' from rescues - and the pound - only to discover they have 'pit bull characteristics'.

A friend of mine across the country is currently in turmoil after he adopted a dog from the local pound a good while ago now and during a consultation with the vet recently, he was told that the dog fitted the description to be 'of type' and now he just doesn't know what to do. The dog hasn't been recalled but my friend doesn't know whether to speak up and get the dog registered, try to hide the dog or what.

I think it's shocking - not only that these dogs are rehomed only to be potentially taken away again but just the whole ridiculous BSL.

Good luck to you both with your pups, I truly hope it comes to nothing. Disgusting.

Oh that is so sad

I used to worry about D all the time. I remember being really upset at first when someone made a comment but then I just thought that the RSPCA will have looked at him properly and if anyone ever accussed him being of 'type' they would also be in trouble for rehoming him so I came to the conclusion that they would not take the risk.

The description of type is so vague and what I consider a staffy cross my trainer classes as a 'type' , he just calls D a bloody pain

I think there is so many that could be classed as 'type' it must be also impossible to police it anymore. The only way would be to have a complete amnesty and allow responsible owners to register any suspect existing dogs and then crack down again.... personally all I can see happening in the long term is that they will eventually ban any breed that resembles 'type' to prevent the crosses existing.

Bets of luck with the dogs a horrible situation, I can remember them when they were up for rehoming.

ladyB · 23-09-2010, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by mummysaz21

i know somebody who owns a dog called cabbage who adopted from the rspca last year and possibly the dog coud be mistake for of the type but defenitly isent

I once bumped into the owners of cabbage from that litter, I think they live in Hillsborough. I remember that he was a lovely dog and had very beautiful eyes..Is an American bull dog "of type" ?

Pelican · 23-09-2010, 17:42

Thanks for all your words of support and advice it really is appreciated as i'm at my wits end. Our pup has to go for an assessment next week and if he is defined as 'that type' I hope they'll let me take him home untill the court hearing comes up. From what i can gather it is at the police person's discretion, who will be in attendence, on whther we'll be able to take him home with us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyB

I once bumped into the owners of cabbage from that litter, I think they live in Hillsborough. I remember that he was a lovely dog and had very beautiful eyes..Is an American bull dog "of type" ?

Cabbage belongs to the family of original poster, whom i'm now in contact with, they are just as scared and worried as i am

Lotti · 23-09-2010, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican

Thanks for all your words of support and advice it really is appreciated as i'm at my wits end. Our pup has to go for an assessment next week and if he is defined as 'that type' I hope they'll let me take him home untill the court hearing comes up. From what i can gather it is at the police person's discretion, who will be in attendence, on whther we'll be able to take him home with us.

That just shows what a load of tripe this whole ridiculous legislation is!

mummysaz21 · 23-09-2010, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican

Thanks for all your words of support and advice it really is appreciated as i'm at my wits end. Our pup has to go for an assessment next week and if he is defined as 'that type' I hope they'll let me take him home untill the court hearing comes up. From what i can gather it is at the police person's discretion, who will be in attendence, on whther we'll be able to take him home with us.

Cabbage belongs to the family of original poster, whom i'm now in contact with, they are just as scared and worried as i am

is it the cabbage im thinking of?gawjus coloured eyes like a light brown colour has white on his face?if it is we might be on bout same dog and he is adorable soft as muck played with both my girls when i had both