Owner of banned dogs could face a �5,000 fine

Following the calls, police have taken in 71 illegally held dogs of which eight will be subject to a court decision on their future.

The amnesty covers pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brazileiro breeds, which are banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

Owners of banned dogs have until midnight on Tuesday to hand them over.

Fatally mauled

If owners choose not to hand them over voluntarily by the time the amnesty ends they will have their animals seized and could also face a �5,000 fine and six months imprisonment.

Police said it was up to dog owners to contact them to arrange for illegal dog breeds to be collected from their homes during the amnesty.

The week long initiative was launched to give owners of illegal dog breeds the chance to hand in their pets without being prosecuted.

It follows the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was fatally mauled by a dog on New Year's Day.

If a reported dog was not put down, it would be placed on the Index of Exempted Dogs but it would have to be neutered, tattooed and micro-chipped in addition to being kept on a lead and muzzled when in a public place.