Man banned from keeping dogs (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Man banned from keeping dogs

9:00am Friday 27th February 2009

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A MAN has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after the police found three illegally-kept Pit Bull Terriers and seven puppies in his one-bedroomed flat.

Following calls from worried neighbours, officers called at Scott Jackson's home in Bach Close, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, in October last year and discovered the animals.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to keep Pit Bull-type dogs unless the owner has an exemption certificate, which involves neutering, electronically tagging and insuring the dog.

Basingstoke magistrates court heard how 31-year-old Jackson had been keeping the adult dogs - Fergie, Dexter and Tizer - along with the puppies at his flat, where children had visited. There was also a suggestion that his pregnant girlfriend would move in after giving birth.

Jackson did not have exemption certificates for any of the dogs. Officers subsequently seized the animals and they were taken to police kennels.

The court heard that while the animals were at the kennels, all the puppies died - one was crushed by the mother and a virus killed the rest.

During a sentencing hearing, prosecutor James Burnham said it was "impossible" to predict how the remaining three dogs would behave on future occasions, and he recommended to the court that they should be destroyed.

Kate Fortescue, defending, claimed Jackson did not know the dogs were Pit Bull Terriers. She said: "It's unfair to expect a lay person to know."

Miss Fortescue also said dog experts had reported that Jackson's pets were "friendly" and "family dogs".

But District Judge Philip Gillibrand said he found it "difficult to accept" that Jackson didn't know the breed of the animals.

The court heard that Jackson wanted to be allowed to keep one of the dogs - Fergie - but couldn't afford to get all three of the adult dogs placed on the exemption list.

However, Judge Gillibrand rejected his pleas and ordered that all three canines should be destroyed because Jackson was not a "responsible owner".

"I cannot say that I'm not satisfied that the dog would not constitute a danger," said Judge Gillibrand. "At the end of the day, a human being is the number one priority."

The judge also banned Jackson - who pleaded guilty to a single charge of breeding from fighting dogs and three charges of possessing fighting dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act - from keeping dogs for a period of five years.

He told Jackson: "It strikes me that every dog owner is under a legal and moral duty to be responsible. I think you behaved quite irresponsibility."

The court heard that keeping the dogs at police kennels had cost the taxpayer £5,490, but Jackson was spared paying anything towards these costs because he is in receipt of benefits.

Speaking after the case, PC Jindy Sokhi, of the Basingstoke Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "This incident demonstrates that robust action will be taken against people who possess this type of dog for their own personal gain.

"Police action in this matter demonstrates that we are committed to ensuring that our communities remain safe places to live."

PC Sokhi added: "My sympathies lie firmly with the dogs, who are the innocent party in this matter, as it is they who have paid the ultimate price."

Dog owners concerned about their own pet's breed, or anyone with information relating to Pit Bulls being kept illegally, can contact their local Safer Neighbourhoods Team at Basingstoke police station on 0845 045 4545.

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