Illegal Pitbull faces death sentence (From Echo)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us »
Illegal Pitbull faces death sentence
1:10pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News
Illegal Pitbull faces death sentence
AN ILLEGAL pit bull has been given a death sentence, unless his owner takes action within the next two months.
Terry Trant, of Cunningham Close, Shoebury, will have two months to get Buster on an ‘exempt’ list to prevent him being destroyed.
This means he will have to shell out about £500 to get him neutered, insured, microchipped, and tattoed with a number given to him for the list.
Mr Trant, 33, appeared before Southend Magistrates Court for a civil hearing to decide the dog’s fate.
Fiona Philpott, who brought the case on behalf of Essex Police, said officers had been searching Mr Trant’s address in February when the dog was seized.
She said:”Buster has the misfortune to resemble a PItt Bull type dog and was seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act.”
She said he had then been examined by Sgt Russ Abbott who identified the dog was in fact a Pitt Bull.
However, she said there was no suggestion Buster had ever been dangerous at any time.
Mr Trant, who represented himself, said: “I will agree with the experts, but when I bought him I bought him under the belief he was part mastiff, part Boxer, and part Staffordshire Terrier.”
He said he was also a responsible dog owner and had been since he was a little boy.
He added: “He was brought up nice, he’s a loving dog. He hasn’t got a vicious bone in his body.”
The force then spent £4,200 kennelling Buster before bringing the case, and the court heard Mr Trant had been in prison for part of this time.
He said he had been told since it had been more than six months since Buster was seized, he would not face a criminal prosecution.
For this reason he was only ordered to pay £150 towards the kennelling and £200 court costs.
The court made a ‘contingent destruction order’ which means Mr Trant must make the changes within two months or the dog will be put down.
Once he has the dog back he must keep him on a lead and muzzle in public places under the control of someone aged 16 or over.
Buster must also be in secure conditions at home where he can’t escape. If Mr Trant changes address or the dog dies he must notify the authorities. If asked by any police or local authority officer, he must also show proof the dog is on the exempt list.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (61)
1:23pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Trainman says...
ALL dog attacks should be investigated.
1:32pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Major Incident says...
2:10pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Aint it just the truth says...
2:24pm Mon 15 Oct 12
APR says...
2:41pm Mon 15 Oct 12
aduksquack says...
She said he had then been examined by Sgt Russ Abbott who identified the dog was in fact a Pitt Bull.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID THERE WAS NO SUGGESTION BUSTER HAD EVER BEEN DANGEROUS AT ANY TIME.
This just goes to show the utter stupidity of a breed specific law. The law should be deed, not breed. Perfectly innocent dogs are being cruelly destroyed purely because of their breed or because of what they look like.
3:01pm Mon 15 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
3:04pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Rich+Carol says...
3:10pm Mon 15 Oct 12
aduksquack says...
3:20pm Mon 15 Oct 12
alimac69 says...
3:22pm Mon 15 Oct 12
sunshine07 says...
3:35pm Mon 15 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
4:46pm Mon 15 Oct 12
emcee says...
-
This is why this country is in dire financial trouble. Why are the police throwing away £4000? If the owner of the dog is liable for that money he should pay it, or did the police find hard to justify, to the judge, £4200 kennelling fees.
5:20pm Mon 15 Oct 12
aduksquack says...
This dog has done nothing wrong. It hasn't attacked anyone, it hasn't bitten anyone, yet because some jobsworth copper thinks 'it might be a Pitbull' this bill has been run up.
Blame the idiot police and this moronic breed specific law for the costs, not the innocent dog owner.
5:40pm Mon 15 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
5:43pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Mr. Pedantic says...
A dog that doesn't look anything like a pitbull but is one?
£4,200 kennelling whilst Mr. Trant was "away" - who'd have looked after Buster if the police didn't?
Sgt. Russ Abbott - c u Jimmy
A Mr. T Rant - Shut up, fool!
And no-one investigating the dog's parentage - surely they too must be illegal pitbulls if he is.
There's something fishy about this whole story.
6:13pm Mon 15 Oct 12
mrs m boone says...
6:19pm Mon 15 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
7:29pm Mon 15 Oct 12
SpiffSpaffington1984 says...
9:47pm Mon 15 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
10:04pm Mon 15 Oct 12
The Soldier in White says...
10:40pm Mon 15 Oct 12
SpiffSpaffington1984 says...
Hennessey
Stops home invasion
Story
Blitz
Stops abduction
Story
Man
takes bullet for family during
home invasion
Story
Kola
Chases thief from home
Story
D-Boy
Risks life to save family.
Story
Maximus
Gives his life to save his owners.
Story
Cisco
Drags woman to safety
Story
Pit Bull saves owner from
attacker
Story
Baby
Baby a rescued pit bull alerted
her owner to the house being on
fire. Baby gave her life to save
her beloved owners.
Story
Maya
Maya saves owner from attacker
Story
Rottie and a Staffie Bull
The two dogs save toddler from
drowing! The two were awarded
for their bravery
Story 1
Story 2
Missy
Pit Bull saves 7 yr old boy
Original Source - Miami Herald
Marley
Pit Bull saves girl from fire
by Beth Ipsen
Read Article
Pit Bull Stays by owner in firey
crash
Read Article
Jack
When my mom was cooking
dinner Jack started barking
historically and wouldn't stop
until my mom opened the oven
door. Sure enough the stove was
on fire. Once my mom put out
the fire he finally calmed down.
Pepper
Saves family from Fire
Read Article
Boone
Saves Family from Fire
Read Article
Mimi
Saves family from fire
Read Article
Destiny
Saves her 9 yr old owner from
predator
Read Article
Benny
Benny the pit bull dies a hero
Family Pit bulls
Three Family pit bulls save family
from house fire.
Article removed because Denver
News sent an email to take it
down.
Stormy
Alerts family to house fire
Read Article
Coco
Saves 10 yr old from intruder!
Read Article
Foxy
Saves her 82 yr old owner from
Freezing and barks until help
arrives
Read Article
Jesse
Saves owner who was bleeding
from a nicked artery.
Read Article
Rock
Killed while saving his family
from intruders.
Read Article
Cloe
Aided a woman who had fallen
outside and was unable to move.
Read Article
Chevy
A Toronto Pit Bull saved mom
who had fallen and smashed her
head.
Read Article
Missy
Saved young boy from 2 dogs
mauling him.
Read Article
Autum
Alerted mom that house was on
fire
Read Article
Popsicle
The Number 1 United States
Customs Dog is an American Pit
Bull Terrier named Popsicle. How
did he get that name? He was
found during a drug bust in a
freezer where he had been left to
die after being used as a bait
dog for dog fighters.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Dakota
One of the top rated Search and
Rescue dogs is Dakota, an
American Pit Bull Terrier. Dakota
is owned by Kris Crawford, who
has 2 other pit bulls that are
certified SAR dogs! Dakota is so
good at what she does, NASA
hand picked Kris and Dakota to
assist in the recovery of the
Astronauts after last winters
tragic crash. They are also
certified Hospital Therapy dogs.
These dogs bring happy
reunions and sometimes closure
to many families. If you were to
tell these families how evil and
bad these dogs are I’m sure they
would look at you like you were
crazy! (Animal Planet recently
aired a “Pet Story” edition on Kris
Crawford).
Visit Kris and Dakota's Website
for more great information
Weela
· One day while outside watching
one of the kids in her family,
suddenly body slammed 11 yr old
Gary that sent him flying. Lori
(mom) saw the whole thing and
was surprised since Weela had
always played so well with the
kids. Surprised , that was until
she saw the big rattle snake sink
it’s fangs into Weela’s face! Then
she understood Weela had been
saving Gary’s life!
A few years later, Weela saved
the lives of 30 people, 29 Dogs,
13 horses and 1 cat. Heavy rains
caused a **** to break on the
Tijuana River. Weela would pull
30 to 50lbs of food across the
river to feed stranded animals
when it was needed during their
month of being stranded on the
island.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Panda
A stray pit bull Pat found
wandering the streets, is not only
her best friend but also her
service dog. Pat was put in a
wheelchair by a horseback riding
accident and without Panda's
help would have difficulty getting
around.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Dixie
A 50 pound APBT who never
hesitated in the face of danger.
She protected her family’s
children by pushing them out of
the way and putting herself
between them and a deadly
Cottonmouth about to strike and
took 2 bites to the face. Those
bites would have killed the kids.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
RCA
RCA, a white APBT certified as a
hearing dog in Alaska
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Private First Class Duke
A United States Marine stationed
in Japan
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Buddy
An American Pit Bull Terrier
(referred to by owners as their
56lb Chihuahua) who saved 2
retired sisters from a house fire.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Norton
Saved his human moms life after,
she had gone into anaphylactic
shock from a spider bite. Norton
who they rescued from a fight
ring, went to the master
bedroom and kept pushing her
husband until he awoke and
followed Norton to his wife
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Petunia
· A Pit Bull who visits schools and
assists in teaching kids about
Responsible pet ownership.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Gabby
· Brought much needed help to a
neighbor who had fallen off a 12
ft. ladder. Once she was able to
wake him up by licking his face
and barking, she went for help.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Bella
Gave her life to save her owner
from a car jacking. 4 hijackers
blocked the young women in her
driveway and rushed towards
her demanding the keys to her
car. After telling them to take
everything, they began to drag
her to their car, she started
screaming. That's when Bella
attacked the first of 4 of the
hijackers who shot her in the
head, she continued to attack the
team of 4 until the fled the scene
leaving the injured Bella and her
owner. Bella died from her
injuries shortly after the attack.
On Saturday, 8 November 1997,
Bella was awarded posthumously
a seven ring rosette, a trophy
Mikey
The Amstaff Ambassador,
Educator and Therapy Dog
KoKo
Then a 7 month old puppy, woke
her 9 year old human sister up at
5am in an effort to get help for
the girls 2 baby hamsters who
were trapped in the closet..
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Spike
· A service dog, for a quadriplegic
who couldn’t function without
Spikes help!
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Taylor
· A 4yr old APBT and San Diego
Narcotics Officer. He is also a
rescued pit bull!
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Pitcasso
A professional artist! One of
Pitcasso's paintings recently sold
for $550.00!
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Sunni
A brave pit bull who donates
blood to save other dogs!
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Blueberry
Blu A young APBT who saved her
owners life by pouncing on 2
armed attackers as they were
shooting.
Read more, courtesy of Positive
Pit Bull Press
Weezie
One night, 2 armed men broke
into Melissa Willis's home. They
pointed a gun at her, while her
son stood behind her. Weezie
there male pit bull came to the
rescue! Weezie, placed himself
between his family and danger,
and every advance by the men,
he pushed his family backwards
until they were to the exit. He
kept the armed robbers focused
on him, so his family would be
safe.
Read the complete Story
TJ
TJ the currently available Rescue
pup, saves his foster dad's life!!
TJ alerted foster dad AJ Morgan
to a 4ft Diamondback Rattlesnake
curled up in the driveway.
Rover McGuinness
Jon found Rover abused and
abandoned in a Dunkin Dounuts
parking lot two years ago and
became best friends. Who knew
Jon's act of kindness would
come back to him so quickly.
There was a fire in Jon's home
had it not been for Rover barking
to wake Jon, he would have lost
his life. Sadly, that was Rovers last
act of bravery. Rover McGuinness
passed away in the fire and will
forever be a hero.
Read Rover's Story
Nick
About 1 month ago I passed out
in our living room and fell to the
floor. The phone had been
ringing a lot so it was on the end
table next to the couch.
Somehow Nick knew what he
needed to do. He got phone and
placed it on my chest. Then he
started to lick me and paw at my
chest a little. I woke up to
wonderful kisses and my poor
puppy crying. I was shocked at
what he had done. For the rest of
the day he wouldn't leave my
side. He followed me everywhere.
My baby's not a fighter, he's a
hero!
Tanner
December 21, 2004 Tanner
became an official memeber
Cocke County Sheriff's
department. Officer Tanner was
awarded his badge and bullet
proof vest.
Read Tanners story
Leah
Leah was taken from the streets
by a caring family and taken
home to be fostered. One
evening a fire broke out while
the family slept. Leah woke the
family up allowing them to safely
escape the fire!
Read Leah's Story
Otis
Otis alerted his family to a fire in
the process of starting in the
children's room.
Read Otis's story
Email Webmaster
All Rights Reserved. 2005.
www.understand-a-bul
l.com
Sh
1:26pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Rochford Rob says...
A win win.
3:48pm Tue 16 Oct 12
cassie512 says...
3:53pm Tue 16 Oct 12
cassie512 says...
4:00pm Tue 16 Oct 12
The Jim Clarke says...
4:00pm Tue 16 Oct 12
rich 'guru' fletcher says...
Many humans are dangerous. A car is dangerous in the wrong hands. So is a bread knife. And a swimming pool. Oh, and electricity. Also gas.
Shall we ban everything in this world except maybe cotton wool or shall we say that dogs are not dangerous if bought up in a correct manner. The same as children.
Pit Bull Terriers were the most revered breed in the USA only a few decades ago. It wasn't until gangsters and criminals got hold of them, cropped their ears and made them aggressive, that they fell out of favour with the American public. You can thank the media for that BTW.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are, and always have been a fantastic breed to have around children. They are referred to in all canine literature as 'The Nanny Dog'. Again, they've been given a bad name by irresponsible humans and the UK Press.
So, 'Aint it just the truth', please stop writing such ridiculous statements. You are as guilty as the gangsters of giving great dogs a bad name. SHAME ON YOU ! !
Rich Fletcher
4:02pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Morticia Adams says...
5:12pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Aint it just the truth says...
.
I am the last person to support the 'elf and safety culture - I sail small boats through North Sea gales and climb mountains - but there is a huge difference between taking calculated risks and the risks posed by dangerous animals. We used to be able to keep lions and poisonous reptiles but that has been banned now so why are people still allowed to keep these dangerous dogs? It makes no sense to me why anyone would actually want to keep an animal that has the potential to kill or maim children. Perhaps you can explain the mentality of people who want to do this?
6:03pm Tue 16 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
6:08pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Aint it just the truth says...
6:12pm Tue 16 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
6:42pm Tue 16 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
6:43pm Tue 16 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
7:06pm Tue 16 Oct 12
SpiffSpaffington1984 says...
7:39pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Rochford Rob says...
8:21pm Tue 16 Oct 12
Aint it just the truth says...
.
"Aint it just the truth, i dont believe for a second a dog, especially a staff turned on its own sibling that is just ridiculous".
.
Sorry Spiffspaff (as we have agreed on so many other issues) but this is absolutely true, saw it for myself. One of my friends used to help run a local animal rescue service and they used to take on any kind of wild animals and unwanted pets until they had a number of similar incidents where Staffies or similar breeds attacked with no provocation, and that's the trouble with Staffies and Pitbulls etc, they can be unpredictable, they can be meek and mild for years and then for some reason we don't understand they 'snap' and go into attack mode. How many more times do you have to hear those immortal words "he was always lovely with the children" ... until he snapped and attacked them? The bottom line is that there is no justification whatsoever to keep an animal that can kill and maim children so why do it? What's the point?
8:28pm Tue 16 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
9:07pm Tue 16 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
9:41pm Tue 16 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
9:52pm Tue 16 Oct 12
The Soldier in White says...
9:55pm Tue 16 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
10:15pm Tue 16 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
1:36am Wed 17 Oct 12
Dumbnut says...
6:59am Wed 17 Oct 12
rich 'guru' fletcher says...
I cringe everytime i see one of these wasters parading their Staffie around a town centre, probably looking for either the benefits offiice or their next drugs fix. I'll say it again though, that isn't the dogs fault.
I run two successful business', am married with 2 beautiful children. My wife owns her own business. We own three staffie's, 2 male and one female and all are well behaved and affectionate animals. Had they been homed with scum owners, do doubt they wouldn't be such loving creatures. Dogs my friend are like humans, products of their environments.
You are obviously just a Staffie hater and love to make that known. As I remember, I've never seen a middle class owner in the news reporting that " The dog had always been great, then one day he just turned". That's a classic line for pond life to use when the dog has allowed them years of blantent mistakes and then one day it comes back to haunt them.
I can't waste anymore time on this. I'll close my involvement with this thread by saying that the UK Government needs to introduce a license scheme. Owning a dog shouldn't just be a given. Staffies etc are powerful dogs and with ownership comes great responsibility.
Oh, and I don't smoke weed.
8:34am Wed 17 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
9:27am Wed 17 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
9:44am Wed 17 Oct 12
The Soldier in White says...
10:10am Wed 17 Oct 12
asbo industries inc says...
10:42am Wed 17 Oct 12
Aint it just the truth says...
11:50am Wed 17 Oct 12
Illinois10 says...
The 4 banned breeds are for the reason that they are potentailly more aggressive than other breeds. Granted some dogs within these breeds may never hurt a human or another animal, but... if you know someone who is of good natured and kind to all, would you let them drive a car if they were banned or didn't have a license, surely this is the same, if they are banned they should be banned, unless they have as the DDA says lisence from the courts to keep the dog.
In turn, maybe something should be done about giving the right breed to the right owner and their capabilities. Like driving motorbikes, at 16 it is only mopeds and as you get older and more experienced you are able to ride more powerful ones. Freedom of choice or making sure the dog is used, cared for correctly and doesn't get dumped etc etc.
12:10pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Dumbnut says...
5:08pm Wed 17 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
6:42pm Wed 17 Oct 12
FelicityLynch says...
Second, the centre of disease and control in American have recorded over 30 different breeds involved in fatal attacks on humans, including Dalmatians, st Bernard’s, Labradors and golden retrievers.
12:32pm Thu 18 Oct 12
SpiffSpaffington1984 says...
12:33pm Thu 18 Oct 12
SpiffSpaffington1984 says...
1:22pm Thu 18 Oct 12
bongking says...
my dog is a lab, and she is so soft, but i would still muzzle her, you never know,what could happen.
2:32pm Thu 18 Oct 12
smithy741 says...
3:01pm Thu 18 Oct 12
I love Essex says...
8:27am Fri 19 Oct 12
Tone-Fu says...
Staffords and other bull-breeds were bred for their game nature, for sport, meaning that they were bred, by man, to be aggressive towards other dogs and small prey (though prey drive is innate).
They do not 'turn' for no reason, nor do they routinely maul children or any of the other claptrap you're spouting. They're just dogs, they are what their owner makes of them. Should they be kept on leash? Yes, but so should all bloody dogs!
Now, stop speaking guff about things you clearly know nothing about and get back to your small boat, Popeye.
9:00am Fri 19 Oct 12
Illinois10 says...
So does that mean that all humans should be handcuffed and muzzled so they can't rob, murder, attack others too? Its only fair...
4:18pm Sat 20 Oct 12
emcee says...
However, with dogs instinct will prevail and any training is merely manipulation of the dogs instincts.