Action against gangs with dogs
New police and court powers have been announced by the Home Office which will help deal with gangs who use dangerous dogs. There is concern that dogs, such as Pit Bull Terriers, are being trained by gangs to be aggressive and increasingly used in violence or to intimidate others. The new powers will allow courts to restrict the movements of gang members and prohibit them from owning or being in control of dogs. Those breaking such an order would face up to two years in prison. The announcement comes as part of the Home Office’s wider effort to tackle gang culture. Certain dangerous breeds are already restricted by law and last year the Metropolitan Police seized over 600 dogs, the majority of which are on the list of banned dogs, compared to only 27 in 2004/5.
