The Pit Bull Terrier, left, banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, was taken from the property in Newcastle Gardens in Whitleigh yesterday after police obtained a warrant from Plymouth Magistrates.
The 34-year-old dog owner who lives at the address was not in at the time, but police told The Herald they would be taking legal action against her.
It is the second time a dog has been seized from the woman in less than two years.
She also owned another dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, that attacked a woman police officer in 2010. The dog leapt at her, biting into her arms and stomach. The attack on August 16, left the officer needing three hours of surgery.
PC Faye Webb, who investigated the case of the Pit Bull – which was tested yesterday and confirmed as a Pit Bull breed – said: "We went to the address and the owner wasn't there, so as we had the warrant we gained entry to the property and seized the dog.
"We have seized the dog because of its breed. We received intelligence from the community stating that there was a Pit Bull-type dog at the address which is often out and unattended on the street.
"Police are investigating another allegation made against this dog for biting a member of the public."
The Herald understands that a member of the public was out when the Pit Bull went to attack their dog and young child.
The Plymouth parent sustained minor injuries while attempting to fend off the dog earlier this year.
PC Webb, Whitleigh beat manager, added: "This is the second dog police have seized from the owner, the first of which was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which is not a dangerous breed. "However, it was an aggressive dog and attacked a police officer.
"The owner has not learnt and we will take robust action against anybody who has a dog of this breeding.
"It is a very similar sort of scenario as to when we seized the first dog – there is no fencing in the garden.
"Whether she had a Labrador or a Pit Bull it is irrelevant as she is not a responsible dog owner.
"We will be taking proceedings against the lady."
Government legislation states that dogs banned by the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, such as Pit Bulls, can be added to the Index of Exempted Dogs (IED) only following a court order.
Conditions of being on the IED include ensuring the dog is; neutered, tattooed, micro-chipped, kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in a public place, and kept in a secure place so it can't escape and is insured against injuring third parties.
PC Webb added: "The dog we seized is a Pit Bull which is on the dangerous dogs list; it is a prohibited dog.
"It is becoming more and more popular that people get these dogs for status purposes and it will not be tolerated. We can go in, we can seize. If it is a Pit Bull we can keep the dog and we will prosecute if they are not managed properly.
"Unfortunately more and more cases are coming to light of people using these dogs for status."
A woman is due to appear before magistrates on February 2 in connection with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Magistrates will consider the future of the dog.
(Plymouth Herald - January 28, 2012)
