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02/12/2009
Police Were Warned Over Dangerous Dog
An internal police investigation has been mounted after it emerged today that concerns about dogs at the 'house of death' in Liverpool were reported to the force as long ago as last February.
John-Paul Massey was attacked by the animal while he was at his grandmother's house in Liverpool in the early hours of Monday.
The four-year-old, described by his headteacher as a "friendly, cheerful little boy" suffered massive injuries and died at the scene. Police shot the dog.
A post mortem examination has revealed that the killer dog, named Uno, was an illegally bred pitbull, a breed outlawed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The finding opens the way to a criminal investigation, and possible charges.
Police officers have admitted that they received a tip of in February that the house where Mrs Foulkes lived with the dead boy's uncle was being used to breed dogs but failed to take action.
It is believed that these complaints went no further because a call centre operator wrongly told the complainant, a housing officer, it was not a police matter.
Naseem Malik, The Independent Police Complaints Commission, (IPCC) Regional Director for the North West, said: "Although Merseyside Police has been very open in admitting the failure, I have decided it is in the public interest for the IPCC to independently investigate this matter.
"We need to determine exactly what went wrong in this case to ensure lessons can be learned for the future."
See: Boy Killed In Dog Attack
(LB/BMcC)
John-Paul Massey was attacked by the animal while he was at his grandmother's house in Liverpool in the early hours of Monday.
The four-year-old, described by his headteacher as a "friendly, cheerful little boy" suffered massive injuries and died at the scene. Police shot the dog.
A post mortem examination has revealed that the killer dog, named Uno, was an illegally bred pitbull, a breed outlawed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The finding opens the way to a criminal investigation, and possible charges.
Police officers have admitted that they received a tip of in February that the house where Mrs Foulkes lived with the dead boy's uncle was being used to breed dogs but failed to take action.
It is believed that these complaints went no further because a call centre operator wrongly told the complainant, a housing officer, it was not a police matter.
Naseem Malik, The Independent Police Complaints Commission, (IPCC) Regional Director for the North West, said: "Although Merseyside Police has been very open in admitting the failure, I have decided it is in the public interest for the IPCC to independently investigate this matter.
"We need to determine exactly what went wrong in this case to ensure lessons can be learned for the future."
See: Boy Killed In Dog Attack
(LB/BMcC)
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22 July 2014
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Pensioner Attacked By Police Dog Dies
A 73-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a police dog as her home was being searched in Middlesborough. Irene Collins was bitten by the dog last Wednesday and passed away in James Cook University Hospital over the weekend. The police dog has been withdrawn from operational policing activities.
22 September 2014
Twenty Dogs Die In East Yorkshire House Fire
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Twenty Dogs Die In East Yorkshire House Fire
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13 May 2014
Owners To Face Longer Sentences Over Dog Attacks
Irresponsible dog owners who allow their dog to attack people or assistance dogs will face tougher prison sentences from today, Tuesday. Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act will also mean dog owners can now face prosecution if their dog attacks a person in their home or on any private property, except if they attack a trespasser.
Owners To Face Longer Sentences Over Dog Attacks
Irresponsible dog owners who allow their dog to attack people or assistance dogs will face tougher prison sentences from today, Tuesday. Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act will also mean dog owners can now face prosecution if their dog attacks a person in their home or on any private property, except if they attack a trespasser.
06 August 2013
Govt Proposes New Sentencing For Fatal Dog Attacks
New proposals for England and Wales could see owners of dogs that attack and kill face a life sentence in prison. Currently, the maximum sentence is two years for those convicted of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. Under proposals put forward by the government, a range of new sentences would be available, from seven years to life.
Govt Proposes New Sentencing For Fatal Dog Attacks
New proposals for England and Wales could see owners of dogs that attack and kill face a life sentence in prison. Currently, the maximum sentence is two years for those convicted of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control. Under proposals put forward by the government, a range of new sentences would be available, from seven years to life.
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