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| Police seize 28 pit bull terriers | Police seize 28 pit bull terriers |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Thirteen people have been arrested and 28 suspected pit bull terriers seized by police on Merseyside. | Thirteen people have been arrested and 28 suspected pit bull terriers seized by police on Merseyside. |
| The dogs were taken during raids at 16 addresses in the Huyton and Stockbridge Village areas. Nine men and four women, aged between 20 and 53, were held. | |
| Police said the animals were seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act following concerns about organised dog fighting. | Police said the animals were seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act following concerns about organised dog fighting. |
| The operation was not a direct response to the death of Ellie Lawrenson, who was killed by a dog in St Helens. | |
| Merseyside Police said the raids had been planned for about three months, before the five-year-old was mauled by a pit bull terrier-type dog. | |
| 'Status symbol' | 'Status symbol' |
| About 60 police officers and 30 RSPCA officers were involved in the operation, which was responding to tip-offs from the community. | About 60 police officers and 30 RSPCA officers were involved in the operation, which was responding to tip-offs from the community. |
| Officers arrested four men and three women, aged between 22 and 53 years old, on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs and dangerous dogs. | |
| Two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding and a further two, aged 20 and 36, on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs. | |
| A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs and offences related to dog fighting, while a 38-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of theft. | |
| Merseyside Police said they were continuing to work with local communities and partner agencies to gather information on dangerous dogs. | Merseyside Police said they were continuing to work with local communities and partner agencies to gather information on dangerous dogs. |
| Supt Dave Connor said: "This is not a problem specific to Merseyside and it is clear that some people keep pit bull terriers as a status symbol. | Supt Dave Connor said: "This is not a problem specific to Merseyside and it is clear that some people keep pit bull terriers as a status symbol. |
| "They may not fully understand the implications of owning this type of dog. | "They may not fully understand the implications of owning this type of dog. |
| Owners can be fined up to £5,000 or face a prison sentence | Owners can be fined up to £5,000 or face a prison sentence |
| "Dog fighting is a barbaric activity and it will not be tolerated. Anyone who trains or breeds animals for that purpose can expect to be dealt with robustly." | "Dog fighting is a barbaric activity and it will not be tolerated. Anyone who trains or breeds animals for that purpose can expect to be dealt with robustly." |
| The RSPCA estimates there may be about 100 people involved in "hardcore" underground dog-fighting in Britain. | The RSPCA estimates there may be about 100 people involved in "hardcore" underground dog-fighting in Britain. |
| The sport was banned 170 years ago. | The sport was banned 170 years ago. |
| Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, four types of animal are banned - pit bull terriers, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro. | Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, four types of animal are banned - pit bull terriers, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro. |
| A person convicted of owning a prohibited dog can face a £5,000 fine or six months in prison. | A person convicted of owning a prohibited dog can face a £5,000 fine or six months in prison. |
| Anyone with concerns about dangerous dogs which are being kept in their neighbourhoods are urged to contact Merseyside Police or the council dog wardens. | Anyone with concerns about dangerous dogs which are being kept in their neighbourhoods are urged to contact Merseyside Police or the council dog wardens. |
| Are you aware of any organised dog fights in your area? Do you know anyone with a pit bull terrier? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you aware of any organised dog fights in your area? Do you know anyone with a pit bull terrier? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |