BSL what are my rights??

[Leah-Lacie]

http://www.scsbts.co.uk/#/you-your-stafford/4554334200

 

The layouts a bit crap and makes it difficult to read But, basics, do not sign your dog over, to anyone, for any reason. Let them take you to court, and if you are sure your dog is a Staff and nothing else, that should be all you need.

[redstar1987]

I volunteered at the PDSA for a while, and in that time a couple of dogs came in that I heard them describe as pitbull type. When giving them treatment they put a muzzle on them regardless of what their temperament appeared to be, but as far as I am aware they did not report those dogs.

 

The guidelines for determining 'type' describe so many dogs, and they are a worry because a lot of staffies around do have longer legs than average (mine included which you can see in my display pic). Even the RSPCA has some for adoption that are taller, but they describe them as staffies regardless.

 

As other people have said, just make sure your dog is well socialised, go to training classes (always looks good to have confirmation that you are training your dog and they are doing well), and generally try not to draw any negative attention to yourself or your dog.

[Moonbird]

she wasent a nure shoud have put that she sad her job was to identify breeds of dog but obv shes doing a ****e job lol

 

If she was doing the chipping then I think that you will find that she is an RSPCA inspector so I should be careful, she was really nice and I'm sure it was no more sinister than it seemed just a warning that your dog had signs of being "of the type" at least its better to know and make sure that she never gets loose etc.

In my opinion thats where the real worry lies, as she would then be taken for a formal assessment, just make sure that she leads a blameless life, take every precaution, neuter etc.

 

If she planned on taking it further then she would have done there and then, take it in the spirit that it was intended and be careful is my advice.

[Bubble3082]

Thanks Leah for your answer

[Shytalk]

Hi !!! Please be aware that until this piece of crap legislation is repealed that your dog if it is "of the type" could be seized at any time from a public place or from your home and you can do very little about it, it is a very badly worded and poorly thought out law that puts the onus on the owner of the dog to prove that the dog is not "of the type" I refer to this as the Home Office regulation only specify a broad description of the type of dog and it is down to a police dog legislation officer to make the decision, If they say it is then its down to the Courts to decide, a very long and drawn out procedure and very expensive to boot

[smudge74]

If your dog is seized do not sign anything - they may tell you otherwise, but if you sign their piece of paper you are giving them permission to put your dog to sleep. If she is seized contact DDA Watch or Deed Not Breed immediately and they will help you to fight to get her on the exempted list. She would have to be tattoed, chipped (already done), neutered and put on the exempted register. She would then have to be muzzled in public and never let off a lead. If seized from your proprty they need a warrant, but if seized in a public place they don't and can just take her.

 

They assess "type" by taking a series of measurements. Generally speaking if they are as high (floor to shoulder) as they are long (shoulder to hip) they are more likely to be of type, but there are other features.

 

Here is a guide to measuring:

http://www.apbtconformation.com/heightlength.htm

 

And here is a description of a pitbull:

http://www.k9obedience.co.uk/dogbreed/pitbullterrier.html

 

Deed Not Breed:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deed-Not-Breed-LTD-and-The-Bull-Breed-Advisory-Service/129985437105070

 

DDA Watch:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/DDA-Watch/366883744658

 

 

Hope that helps

[Shytalk]

smudge74 == not sure they need a warrant ,, if an offence (keeping a type dog without an exemption certificate is an offence) is being committed they may have a right to enter, or they often use the "can we come in and have a word approach" whereby you have invited them in, either way the issue is the crap legislation that is in place that means the dog suffers more than anything, the signing over issue is a get out option for anyone who does not want to go through all the hassle of going to court, I agree that not signing is the best option but many people dont have the spare cash to fight this kind of case and rely on the signing off as a way out.

[Leah-Lacie]

smudge74 == not sure they need a warrant ,, if an offence (keeping a type dog without an exemption certificate is an offence) is being committed they may have a right to enter, or they often use the "can we come in and have a word approach" whereby you have invited them in, either way the issue is the crap legislation that is in place that means the dog suffers more than anything, the signing over issue is a get out option for anyone who does not want to go through all the hassle of going to court, I agree that not signing is the best option but many people dont have the spare cash to fight this kind of case and rely on the signing off as a way out.

 

Its an offence to grow drugs or to handle stolen goods, but police will still need a warrant to enter to search as far as I know.

[smudge74]

smudge74 == not sure they need a warrant ,, if an offence (keeping a type dog without an exemption certificate is an offence) is being committed they may have a right to enter, or they often use the "can we come in and have a word approach" whereby you have invited them in, either way the issue is the crap legislation that is in place that means the dog suffers more than anything, the signing over issue is a get out option for anyone who does not want to go through all the hassle of going to court, I agree that not signing is the best option but many people dont have the spare cash to fight this kind of case and rely on the signing off as a way out.

 

The police need a warrant to enter your property and seize anything. This is true of dogs too. They need a warrant for seizing from a private property, no warrant if you're out and about with it:

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/AnimalsAndPets/Dogs/DG_180098

 

DDA Watch and Deed Not Breed do not charge for their services, and a lot of activists are willing to give funds via chipin to help owners get their dogs chipped, neutered and tattooed. We have managed to raise money for many dogs recently - Miley, Snoop, Venus, Steven, Zilla, the list is endless. There is no need for any owner to give up on their dog for financial reasons. We have ways of raising money towards the costs