Almost 3,500 banned dogs are living in British homes, figures show

ALMOST 3,500 banned dogs are living in British homes, figures reveal.

Most are pit bull terriers registered in England.

Data obtained by the BBC from the Department of Environment under an FoI request showed there are 3,316 banned dogs in England, 149 in Wales and 13 in Scotland.

Four breeds are on the Dangerous Dogs Act banned list, including the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino and fila brasileiro.

These animals can be taken from owners unless they are placed on an index of exempt dogs by a court.

Pit bull owner Anita Mehdi told the BBC she was distraught when police seized her dog Lola.

She said: “My whole world fell apart. They locked her in a cage, shut the door and drove off, leaving me sobbing in the road. I didn’t know if I’d see her again.”

Anita went to court and Lola was put on the exempt list.

Lola had already been spayed and microchipped.

Anita had 6ft fencing installed around her garden and now keeps Lola muzzled and on a lead in public places.

This week, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said the Government was “pretty close” to adding American XL bullies to the list of banned dogs.