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Innocent Dog Put Down Because Of His 'Dangerous' Appearance

Innocent Dog Put Down Because Of His 'Dangerous' Appearance

Duncan was picked up by Blue Cross and nursed to health but later euthanised - the charity is fighting to change the law on dangerous breeds

Daisy Jackson

Daisy Jackson

Never judge a book by its cover, right? Especially when that cover is furry, on four legs, and completely unable to argue its case with you.

Animal welfare charity Blue Cross is fighting to change the law after it was forced to put down a stray dog because of his size and appearance.

The Dangerous Dogs Act dates back to 1991, but tomorrow Blue Cross will appeal to MPs to scrap the law. You can still sign their petition.

The beautiful hound in question is Duncan, a stray who was found emaciated and wandering the streets in 2017.

He was rushed into Blue Cross - with the charity believing he was a cross between a Mastiff and a Dogue de Bordeux (same breed as Hooch from Turner and Hooch).

The animal charity nursed him back to full health, but the local authority classed him as a dangerous dog that would need to be put down.

Blue Cross

Dogs are classed as 'section one' breeds if they look like one of the four banned breeds - Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, DogoArgentino, or Pit Bull Terrier - and are the same size as them.

If they fit that criteria, they are euthanised, unless the courts rule that they are safe and the dog is placed on the Index of Exempt Dogs.

If your pooch is on the index, you have to follow a strict set of rules to ensure they don't pose a danger to public safety.

The rules include microchipping, keeping them muzzled and on a lead in public spaces, neutering them, never letting them be walked by someone under 16 years of age, and purchasing third party liability insurance.

Blue Cross

A Blue Cross animal welfare officer said, according to the Metro: "Duncan was in such a sorry state when he came into us.

"He'd clearly never known a loving home and sadly we were unable to go on to help him have a happy ever after as we would with any other dog.

"Sadly we see loving and well-behaved dogs like Duncan all too often who have not put a paw out of place and would make someone a fantastic pet but because of the current law our hands are tied and they are not given the chance to live."

Blue Cross

Steve Goody, Blue Cross deputy chief executive, said: "There is no evidence to suggest dogs that are currently banned types are more likely to show aggression than any other dog. No dog can be assessed on looks alone.

"Cases like Duncan's have a devastating emotional impact on our hardworking team who are forced unjustifiably to put a healthy dog to death."

Rest in peace, Duncan.

Featured Image Credit: Blue Cross

Topics: UK News, Animal Welfare, Animals, Dogs