 Nine of the 86 animals will be subject to a court decision |
A week-long dangerous dogs amnesty has ended with 86 illegal pets being handed over to Merseyside Police. The initiative, which ran until midnight, gave owners of illegal dog breeds the opportunity to hand over their animals without being prosecuted.
Nine of the 86 animals will be subject to a court decision on their future.
The amnesty covered pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brazileiro breeds, which are banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.
In all police received 644 inquiries during the week-long initiative which was sparked by the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was fatally mauled by a dog on New Year's Day.
Ellie was killed by her uncle's pit bull terrier at her grandmother's house in St Helens. He was questioned over the attack but not arrested.
Owners who chose not to hand their pets over voluntarily by the time the amnesty finished will have their animals seized and could also face a �5,000 fine and six months imprisonment.
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