Dangerous dogs seized in Highgate

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Status Dogs Unit and Bruce Grove Safer Neighbourhoods Team seized two female dogs suspected to be pit-bulls from a flat in Highgate yesterday morning. A man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of prohibited fighting dogs and taken to a north London police station.

Bruce Grove Safer Neighbourhoods Team became the first Safer Neighbourhoods team in the borough to have dangerous dogs set as a ward priority in response to concerns raised about dog behaviour in the borough. PC Kerry Davies, of Bruce Grove SNT is Haringey's dangerous dogs liaison officer and works with all 19 of the borough's Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, rthe Met Status Dogs Unit, RSPCA and Haringey Council.

Bruce Grove SNT is tackling the issue of dangerous dogs with education and enforcement programmes.  Officers have been going into schools, parks and vets to help educate people about responsible dog ownership and encourage as many people as possible to report irresponsible and dangerous dog ownership to them.

Sergeant Matthew Casey, who leads on Haringey's dangerous dog strategy, says, "We need to encourage as many people as possible to report the ownership of dangerous dogs or irresponsible ownership to us. We investigate all sightings of suspected prohibited breeds and reports of irresponsible dog ownership."

PC Kerry Davies, Haringey's dangerous dogs liaison officer, adds, "Haringey residents can be assured that if they report sightings of suspected prohibited animals, irresponsible or suspicious activity, we will investigate and where appropriate take action within the parameters of the law. We will draw on any resource possible to encourage responsible ownership and ensure the public are safe from dangerous dogs."

Anyone with information about prohibited or out of control dogs in Haringey is urged to contact Bruce Grove SNT in confidence on 07920 233 789 or 020 8721 2674 and leave a message with a contact number, or leave a message for the team on the Metropolitan Police non-emergency number on 101.

Image: Beverly & Pack