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WAR ON TERRIER
I feared for my life as nine cops with taser came to seize Yorkshire terrier
A SHOCKED mum says she feared for her life as nine police officers, some armed, besieged her home to seize her family’s Yorkshire terrier called Bobby.
Hayley Scanlan, 28, had refused to hand over the tiny pooch when an old neighbour wanted him back.
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At first, unarmed officers arrived with a warrant to seize the dog.
When Hayley refused to open the door, she says back-up, including two armed officers, arrived and sealed off the cul-de-sac.
She refused to give up seven-year-old Bobby, who is just 12 inches long, for almost an hour — before giving in when an officer grabbed a breach tool and was ready to batter down the front door.
Mum-of-two Hayley, who works for a law firm, said: They were banging on the door so hard I thought someone was trying to break in.
“I refused to give up Bobby until I spoke to a solicitor or my aunt who is a magistrate so I understood my rights.
“But they told me I had ten minutes before they’d remove him by force.
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“I feared for my life. It was terrifying. I didn’t want to let them take my dog away but when I saw the armed police and one officer grab the clamp to bash the door in, I knew I had no choice.”
Husband Iian, 32, a retail operations manager, looked after seven-month-old daughter Dolcie and comforted son Hugo, six, who was in tears cuddling Bobby upstairs.
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Their son has since been prescribed medication to help him sleep and referred for counselling.
Hayley’s mum, Kim Williams, 57, who acted as a go-between in the stand-off, said: “We’ve never been in trouble with the police, yet they treated us like we’re the Krays.”
Hayley insists he was willingly given to her when they lived in Luton last May by an elderly neighbour who was recovering from a heart attack.
Hayley added: “She agreed I should keep Bobby but now she’s decided she wants him back and told the police he’s stolen.
"I don’t believe Bobby is safe because sadly she can’t look after him properly.
“I am now looking to sue Bedfordshire Police.”
Bobby was returned to Hayley's former neighbour after the warrant was enforced in Huntingdon, Cambs.
Her petition for Bobby to be returned has at least 300 signatures.
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Det Insp Melissa Cunningham pointed out the dog was still microchipped to an owner in Luton who has reported the pet stolen.
She added: “Last week we executed a warrant in Huntingdon in connection to reports that a dog had been stolen in Luton.
“We understand there is a dispute over the dog’s ownership, and have tried to investigate this matter as fairly and as sensitively as we can to both parties over a number of months. However, despite speaking repeatedly to both sides we have ultimately been unable to come to a resolution.
“The dog is microchipped to an owner in Luton who has reported that the dog has been stolen, this is supported by witness statements.
“This is why we carried out the warrant last week, seized the dog in question and returned it to its legal owner.
“In terms of resources, two officers who were nearby were called to the scene to assist with a potential forced entry after police were refused entry to the property.
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“However, they were not needed and the dog was eventually handed over to officers.
“We have provided a full update to the RSPCA on this incident and will continue to work with them as required to ensure the dog’s welfare.”
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