A heartbroken dog owner from Nottinghamshire has expressed her utter disbelief and distress after police officers seized three of her beloved pets following what she describes as "malicious" reports falsely identifying them as the banned XL Bully breed.
Police Raid Leaves Owner Terrified
Tia Bradley, a 25-year-old resident of Hucknall, was at her workplace when she received an urgent call from her partner warning that police were en route to confiscate their dogs. Rushing home immediately, Ms Bradley says she encountered what she termed an "intimidating" scene, with approximately twelve officers surrounding her property in multiple vehicles.
"They told me I had three potential XL Bullies and then asked me if I wanted to disclaim them to have them destroyed," Ms Bradley recalled of the distressing encounter in October last year. "We've had no incidents with them. They've caused no fear and haven't been out of control. They've been seized based on how they look after malicious reports."
Breed Dispute and Kennel Confinement
Following the seizure, one dog - four-year-old American Bulldog Lyla - was returned after police determined she was not an XL Bully. However, the two remaining canines have now spent over three months in police kennels while their fate remains uncertain.
Ms Bradley identifies Lexi as a two-year-old American Bulldog and Zeke as a two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossed with an Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. Nottinghamshire Police, however, have assessed both animals as American Pitbull Terriers, another breed prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 unless specific court exemptions are granted.
Mounting Financial and Emotional StrainThe situation has placed enormous financial pressure on Ms Bradley, who faces kennel fees of £35 per day per dog - accumulating to more than £10,000 thus far. She is currently attempting to raise £1,600 to fund private breed assessments that she hopes will prove her dogs are not banned breeds.
"The whole situation has been overwhelming," Ms Bradley explained. "The police have asked me on numerous occasions if I want to disclaim the dogs to have them put down."
Allegations of Poor Kennel Treatment
Ms Bradley claims her limited contact with the dogs has revealed concerning developments during their confinement. She says she was informed that Zeke required a tooth removal after it was damaged while being handled with a catchpole - equipment she had specifically requested officers not to use due to the dog's nervous disposition stemming from suspected past abuse.
"You hear horror stories about how dogs are treated in kennels so it's hard when all you get told is that your dogs are OK," Ms Bradley said. "It's even harder now after finding out they're suffering due to poor handling."
She further reports that Lexi has lost weight during her kennel stay and developed stress-related allergies affecting her ears.
Legal Battle Approaches
A crucial court hearing scheduled for February 6 at Nottingham Magistrates Court will determine the future of Ms Bradley's dogs. A defence expert is expected to provide evidence before a judge makes the final decision regarding their breed classification and potential return to their owner.
Ms Bradley expressed frustration that she was denied access to the Interim Exemption Scheme, which could have allowed the dogs to return home while awaiting their court date if police deemed them not dangerous to the public. "They didn't allow me as I didn't agree with the breed they assessed my dogs as," she explained.
Nottinghamshire Police has declined to comment while legal proceedings remain active before the courts, leaving Ms Bradley to continue her fight for what she believes is justice for her wrongly seized companions.
