Cops seize little girl’s rescue dog after neighbours claimed it was a banned pit bull – then return it 2 weeks later because it’s safe
Tot devastated that police took away her 'best friend'
A TODDLER had her rescue dog seized by bungling cops who thought he was a killer pit bull – only for them to return him two weeks later because he wasn’t.
Ayesha Thomas's two-year-old daughter Samaye Mould was heartbroken when pooch Milo – a rescue Staffordshire bull terrier bought on Gumtree who the tot kisses daily – was taken away by police for having pit bull characteristics.
The mum-of-two, 25, claims the blue Staffy was initially measured wrongly by the police dog handlers who assessed him, and the force have since admitted Milo is not a prohibited breed.
Full-time mum Ayesha, from Dursley, Gloucestershire, said: "I never believed Milo was a pit bull type and I was never prepared to give up on him.
"Every morning Samaye kisses and cuddles him and she gives him a kiss before she goes to bed – he is always so gentle and careful with her and he is her best friend.
"I would never take risks and I would never leave any dog alone with my children, but Milo is an incredible dog and his bond with my children is amazing.
"I trust him with all my heart.
"Samaye loves him completely – we all do. He is part of our family.
"Any dog is capable of attacking, and some do attack. But a decision on a dogs' life should not be made on how they look."
Ayesha bought six-year-old Milo from Gumtree last October and the pooch instantly struck up a bond with Samaye, allowing her to kiss and cuddle him morning and night and feed him treats.
Milo was seized from the home Ayesha shares with Samaye and son Freddie, one, on July 9 after police received reports from a neighbour that a pit bull was living with young children.
After being measured by handlers in the family's garden he was judged to have pit bull characteristics and was taken to kennels, where he was castrated and vaccinated.
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Ayesha claims she was forced to shell out £1,335 for 6ft high garden fencing on cops’ orders and asked to sign up to £25-a-year pet insurance.
Police said that while they had not completed a full assessment, Milo was due to be returned within days under an interim order, pending a possible court date if he was found to be a banned breed.
Ayesha claims she was told if she accepted Milo was a pit bull type she could be taken to court but if she had accepted this and he was registered as a dangerous dog she could have lost her home.
However, this was delayed because 22-weeks-pregnant Ayesha was rushed to hospital with a bleed and he was returned to the family on July 20.
Police returned to Ayesha's home on July 27 to complete their assessment of Milo, but then said he was not a prohibited breed and there would be no further action taken.
Section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 seeks to reduce bites by focusing on dogs that are legally deemed by their shape to be bred for fighting, meaning BSL makes it illegal to own, breed, sell, gift or allow to stray a dog that looks like a pit bull terrier.
Ayesha, who has a partner, Samuel Mould, 21, said: ";Samaye was hysterical when Milo was taken away and missed him like anything when he was gone.
"The whole thing has caused so much heartbreak for myself and my family. Everyone knows Milo was not a risk.
"Breed specific legislation must end – it is so outdated and desperately needs to be reviewed
"Police officers only get two weeks' training to assess a dog for 'type' traits and so many dogs are being incorrectly seized and put to sleep.
"We weren't prepared to allow that to happen to Milo and decided to fight with everything we had – we couldn't allow him to die. He had no voice so we had to be that voice.
"But I wasn't fighting the battle on my own, I had messages of support from all over the world.
"My little girl is still traumatised by her dog being taken and poor Milo is like her shadow.
"Our poor dog has been castrated, lost fur through stress and has open sores from chewing his skin.
"This shouldn't have happened and it's heart-breaking to see."
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "We received information that this dog may be a prohibited breed and a dogs’ unit officer attended to assess it.
"As the dog had some characteristics of a pit bull and there were very young children in the house we decided to seize the dog under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act and carry out a full assessment.
"Throughout this investigation we believe we acted in the interests of the safety of those living in and around the house.
"The decision to seize a dog is not taken lightly but we must be cautious when there is a question mark over whether other people, especially young children, are at risk.
"In this case we were able to make a full assessment and put measures in place to ensure there was no risk of an incident occurring.
"If we hadn't acted in such a way and something had happened we would be justifiably criticised.
"One message we would like to get across is around being vigilant when buying a dog.”
The force added that they had been told by the owners they had bought Milo on Gumtree, did not check if he was vaccinated and did not update his microchip details.
It urged people not to buy dogs from such websites.
Frannie Santos-Mawdsley, chair of Born Innocent, a campaign group for breed neutral legislation, said: "The Dangerous Dogs Act and, most notably, Breed Specific Legislation has been failing dogs, their owners and British Society for 25 years.
"This law is wrong in every way: legally, financially, socially and emotionally."
Armer family reunited with their dog after similar ordeal
Darla, who is a cross between a Shar-Pei and a Staffordshire bull terrier, has been a constant companion for autistic Maddison Armer, seven.
But Maddison was devastated and became withdrawn when police issued a warrant on July 16 to seize the three-year-old pet under the Dangerous Dogs Act
It was claimed Darla was a pit bull-type, which is an a dog that has certain characteristics of the banned breed.
Maddison's mum Jenny Armer was told she could sign a disclaimer to have the docile pet put to sleep or fight the decision in court.
She launched a petition to bring the dog home with money and signatures flooding in from around the world.
On Wednesday the family, from Lancaster, Lancashire, were given the news that following an independent assessment Darla was not deemed to be a pitbull-type and she could go home.
Darla was returned to her owners at around midday on Thursday.
Jenny, 29, said: "I couldn't have Darla put to sleep, at the end of the day she is like another child. I am so glad we fought it.
"Maddison couldn't believe it when I told her Darla was coming home, she started crying. We went to the pet shop to get some treats for her arrival.
"It is fantastic to have her home. Darla was so happy to see us, running around wagging her tail like a mad woman. We're all covered in slobber. Maddison is a bit overwhelmed.
"She has been depressed and hasn't been sleeping or eating properly. When Darla came in she cried, she is so happy now. She has her spark back, that's what Darla does.
"We're going to take her for a walk and see neighbours to say thank you for all their help."
More than 50,000 people signed various petitions to have Darla returned while a JustGiving page has had over £4,000 in donations.
The money raised is set to go to Deed not Breed, an organisation which fights breed specific legislation, to help other families in the same situation.
There are currently four breeds banned under the 25-year-old Dangerous Dogs Act - Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino and Pit Bull Terrier.
However, crossbreeds which have certain characteristics similar to a Pit Bull can be seized and euthanised.
Under the law, police don't need proof a dog is a banned breed, they only need to suspect it is.
Darla's tale has prompted fresh calls for the government to look at the Dangerous Dogs Act, which has been slammed in recent weeks.
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