‘Dog racism’: woman whose dog was seized by police without warning hits out at Dangerous Dogs Act

A woman whose dog was seized from her home without warning due to the Dangerous Dogs Act has described the policy as “dog racism”.

Anita Medhi, whose dog Lola was taken away because it looks like one of the four breeds banned under the act, has launched a petition to scrap the law, which has gained more than 50,000 signatures.

At a glance: 5 key points

– Anita Medhi’s dog, Lola, an American Bulldog/Staffordshire Bull terrier cross, was taken from her home by police without warning in 2019 at 18-months old, because she looks like one of four breeds which are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act

– A court eventually ruled that Lola posed no risk to the public and the dog was returned to Medhi, though she will be forced to wear a lead and muzzle at all time outdoors

– Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Fila Brasileiros and Dogo Argentinos are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act

– Many dogs can be kept in kennels for months or even years while waiting for an exemption ruling from a court, and stray dogs “typed” in this way under the Act have to be put down by vets as they can’t be rehomed.

– National pet charity Blue Cross has called on the Government to scrap the relevant section of the law immediately, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Dangerous Dogs Act on August 12.

What’s been said?

Anita Medhi said: “This is dog racism, how can you determine a dog to be dangerous by its look?”

“A dog should be judged on behaviour and nothing else, if a dog is well balanced, brought up correctly there should be no issue.

“Lola was proven in court to be a well-balanced, lovely dog that has no risk to the public, there is no reason to have restrictions on her.

“I can’t tell you how important it is to get rid of this act, I never knew a Dangerous Dog Act existed, it’s been a pain in my life every since Lola was seized.”

She added: “The longer this Act exists, more dogs will be in danger – the Government does not listen to change and now is the time to listen.”

Becky Thwaites, public affairs officer at animal charity Blue Cross, said: “We still see a number of dog attacks each year, it’s meaning healthy pets are put to sleep due to the way they look.

“This is a piece of legislation that does not protect the public and has a negative impact on dog welfare.

“It’s time the Government reviews the legislation and introduces something that works and is based on deed not breed.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: “Dog attacks can have horrific consequences, which is why it is a criminal offence to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control.

“Any dog has the potential to be dangerously out of control and therefore it is important that the police and the courts are able to employ a range of measures to limit the risks to public safety.

“We will be formally responding to this petition in due course.”