Reprieve for dog found abandoned in Leeds park

The male pit bull-type dog was found in Horsforth Hall Park on October 5. He had been tied to park railings but had chewed through the lead.

After being taken by Leeds city council, he was then put into the hands of West Yorkshire Police for assessment and judged to be one of the four banned UK breeds.

Campaigners feared he would be put to sleep, because police were unable to locate the animal’s owner, who is the only person who could claim him.

But the dog now looks set to be saved after police finally traced the owner and he expressed the desire to get him back.

Chief Inspector Marc Adams, of West Yorkshire Police, said in a statement: “A dog that was found abandoned in Horsforth Hall Park has undergone an assessment by a specially-qualified dog section officer and has been identified as a suspected prohibited type under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

“We have been in contact with the owner of the dog who has indicated they want to retain ownership. This means we will now apply to the magistrates court for them to consider the issues, and the dog will be kept in kennels pending the outcome of that process.”

Earlier, an online petition was set up calling for a change in the law so that such dog are not automatically put to sleep if there is another fit and able person willing to take them on.