Man faces court on dog charge
A man said to be the owner of an American pitbull, an illegal breed, is due to appear in court this week charged with possessing a fighting dog.
The animal was seized from a house in Low Hill during a dramatic raid by police and animal experts.
The swoop was amid reports of a danger dog roaming the streets of the estate. Police said the dog and its companion, which was not an illegal breed, had broken free from a garden pen in Dickenson Avenue and had been causing concerns in the area.
Officers said they needed to act to avoid a repeat of attacks on children across the country by powerful breeds of fighting dogs.
The pitbull cross-breed struggled as it was walked out through a garden gate using restraints, watched by neighbours.
The animal is currently in kennels and may yet be destroyed.
A 27-year-old man, who has not been named, is due to appear before city magistrates on Friday charged with possessing a fighting dog following the seizure in March.
In May 2002, five-year-old Low Hill girl Leah Preston was nearly killed when she was savaged in her front garden.
More recently, Ellie Lawrenson, also five, was killed when she was attacked by a pitbull terrier-type dog which belonged to her uncle in Merseyside.
Earlier this year, three men were jailed after a "complete dog fighting enterprise" was smashed in the West Midlands.
Operation Lace, led by the RSPCA and West Midlands Police, saw 51 dogs, including 45 pitbull-types, seized along with treadmills, a video, veterinary kits, breaking sticks and other dog fighting equipment.
Some types used in illegal fighting can sell on the black market for up to £2,000.
Ch Insp Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA special operations unit, said: "There are people across the country who are taking part in organised dogfights week in, week out, causing their dogs untold suffering for their own amusement. We are determined to give the message that this is not acceptable."
