This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-35635935

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Police lock up dog with no exercise for two years Stella the dog locked up by Devon police for two years without exercise
(35 minutes later)
Police kept a dog in a 1m (3ft) by 3m (9ft) cage for two years without ever exercising it, the BBC can reveal. A dog has been kept in a cage by police for two years without exercise, the BBC can reveal.
Stella was seized after her owner was arrested on an unrelated matter in Devon in 2014. Stella was seized in 2014 and has been kept in a 3ft by 9ft cage in Devon ever since.
Devon and Cornwall Police refused to give specific reasons why the dog could not be exercised. They said she was considered potentially dangerous.Devon and Cornwall Police refused to give specific reasons why the dog could not be exercised. They said she was considered potentially dangerous.
A worker at the kennels said they were told by police not to exercise dogs held under the Dangerous Dogs Act.A worker at the kennels said they were told by police not to exercise dogs held under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Death row
A destruction order for Stella was passed by Torquay Magistrates' Court on 8 February. Her owner was given 28 days to appeal.A destruction order for Stella was passed by Torquay Magistrates' Court on 8 February. Her owner was given 28 days to appeal.
More on this story and other news from Devon and Cornwall What does it cost to kennel potentially dangerous dogs?
The latest on Stella's story and other news from Devon and Cornwall
Laura Khanlarian worked as an assistant at the private kennel used by Devon and Cornwall Police.Laura Khanlarian worked as an assistant at the private kennel used by Devon and Cornwall Police.
She said Stella left her kennel twice during her stay, only for behaviour assessments.She said Stella left her kennel twice during her stay, only for behaviour assessments.
Ms Khanlarian said: "We were always told not to exercise or go into a kennel with any dogs, regardless of character, that had been brought in under the Dangerous Dogs Act.Ms Khanlarian said: "We were always told not to exercise or go into a kennel with any dogs, regardless of character, that had been brought in under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
"We were under no circumstances allowed to touch any of those dogs - which was hard."We were under no circumstances allowed to touch any of those dogs - which was hard.
"Animal welfare comes before anything, and that was my job. I don't believe I would be doing it properly if I would sit back and think that's ok. It wasn't ok - it's not ok.""Animal welfare comes before anything, and that was my job. I don't believe I would be doing it properly if I would sit back and think that's ok. It wasn't ok - it's not ok."
'Unjustified''Unjustified'
Kendal Shepherd, a vet of 30 years and animal behaviour expert, said: "It's terrible. It's unjustified. It's wasting huge amounts of money and it's not doing a single thing to prevent dog bites.Kendal Shepherd, a vet of 30 years and animal behaviour expert, said: "It's terrible. It's unjustified. It's wasting huge amounts of money and it's not doing a single thing to prevent dog bites.
"It's cruel. But it's what our system forces us to do.""It's cruel. But it's what our system forces us to do."
The RSPCA has created a guide to good practice for all police forces, which states: "Dogs must be provided with the opportunity to exercise away from their kennel at least once a day and this should be for a total of at least 30 minutes."The RSPCA has created a guide to good practice for all police forces, which states: "Dogs must be provided with the opportunity to exercise away from their kennel at least once a day and this should be for a total of at least 30 minutes."
Stella Stella's story
Stella, a pit bull-type dog, was considered potentially dangerous because of her breed, her behaviour when police seized her and her behaviour in assessments. Stella, a pit bull-type dog, was seized after her owner was arrested on an unrelated matter in 2014
She was considered potentially dangerous because of her breed, her behaviour when police seized her and her behaviour in assessments.
Court proceedings heard from her owner, Antony Hastie, who said there were no incidents of aggressive behaviour prior to her being seized.Court proceedings heard from her owner, Antony Hastie, who said there were no incidents of aggressive behaviour prior to her being seized.
Evidence heard during the court case included video footage of Stella's behaviour after she had spent nearly two years locked in the kennel.Evidence heard during the court case included video footage of Stella's behaviour after she had spent nearly two years locked in the kennel.
Mr Hastie attended court 11 times over Stella, but in February 2016 it was ruled she should be destroyed.Mr Hastie attended court 11 times over Stella, but in February 2016 it was ruled she should be destroyed.
Sgt Allan Knight, from the Devon and Cornwall Police dog handling unit, said the force has released dogs back to their owners during proceedings in the past.Sgt Allan Knight, from the Devon and Cornwall Police dog handling unit, said the force has released dogs back to their owners during proceedings in the past.
He added: "There will always be some dogs, for whatever reason, that cannot go back, and cannot get walked by staff because of the danger they possess.He added: "There will always be some dogs, for whatever reason, that cannot go back, and cannot get walked by staff because of the danger they possess.
"We are bound by the court process.""We are bound by the court process."
The force declined to offer a specific explanation as to why Stella should be kept in such a confined area and refused exercise for the length of time she was.The force declined to offer a specific explanation as to why Stella should be kept in such a confined area and refused exercise for the length of time she was.
The full story will be shown on BBC Inside Out South West on Monday 29 February at 19:30 and will be available on BBC iPlayer.The full story will be shown on BBC Inside Out South West on Monday 29 February at 19:30 and will be available on BBC iPlayer.