Dad refuses to take back XL bully after time in police kennels after it was seized

The owner of an XL bully dog has reluctantly agreed to let the police put the dog down, due to the effect spending time in police kennels might have had on her. Leicestershire Police went to Harry Lunn's home in New Romney Crescent, Netherhall, Leicester, in April after receiving a report about Azelda, his unregistered XL bully.

Under the law, any XL bully not registered by Thursday, February 1 this year can be seized by police. Only after the owner is convicted of possessing a fighting dog can they ask the magistrates to give them special permission to apply to have the dog certified and returned to them after the deadline.

But Lunn, 30, who lives with his children, decided he did not want to risk having the dog back. Leicester Magistrates' Court heard on Friday (November 15) that he was worried Azelda would have been changed by her time in kennels.

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Lunn owned Azelda illegally and had a second dog that was perfectly legal for him to own. When police visited, they asked Lunn to voluntarily turn the dogs over but he refused, saying he believed Azelda was registered and was a safe dog who didn't deserve to be destroyed.

The police returned with a warrant to seize both dogs. They have kept Azelda ever since but the second dog was returned to Lunn eight days later. Prakash Morar, representing Lunn in court, said: "When the second dog was returned eight days later it was not itself.

"It was shaking and had what he believed was kennel cough and had completely changed as a dog."

He said that Lunn decided he did not want to risk Azelda returning to the family home. Mr Morar said: "He feels he won't be able to take the XL bully dog back. He has children at home."

Mr Morar said Azelda had been suitable for Lunn's family home before he was seized.

The magistates, who stopped short of ordering Azelda's destruction because of her non-violent nature, gave Lunn two months if he did change his mind and decide to register Azelda. Lunn, who had pleaded guilty to possessing a fighting dog, was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge, £85 court costs and £500 towards the kennel costs.