Lancaster family's fight after police seize treasured pet dog

A mum-of-five has vowed to fight in court to save her dog's life after she says it was seized by police for being a banned pit bull terrier breed.
Darla the dog is on death row.Darla the dog is on death row.
Darla the dog is on death row.

Jenny Armer, who has children ranging from a 12-week-old baby to her oldest child Maddison, aged seven, says the family is devastated after their beloved Sharpei Staffie cross dog Darla was taken away after a report to the dog warden that Darla might be dangerous around her children.

Jenny, 29, of Norfolk Street, Lancaster, said: “I was given the option to put her to sleep and kill her or go to court and fight this and this is what I’m going to do, despite the risk of prison. I’ve been told I will only be prosecuted if I had known she was a pit bull type when I bought her.

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“I have launched a donation page to raise the £5k needed to fight for Darla’s life in court, and have also set up a petition to help get Darla home. She is not a dangerous dog. I am a qualified nursery nurse and I would never put any child in danger. Darla has been assessed and I’ve been told she has bull features.

“She is my eldest child’s Maddison’s best friend. Darla and Maddison have had a strong bond since she was a puppy.

“Maddison suffers from Autism and ADHD and this is causing her mega distress and upset. I need to get her dog home. Darla is scared of birds and she is the most friendly dog ever. She is not a pit bull dog.” A family fun day will be held for at St Chad’s Church Hall in Lancaster on August 8, between 12pm and 6pm, to raise funds for the court case.

To donate to help with funds towards the court case visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/jenny-armer.

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Darla’s petition is at www.change.org/p/lancashire-council-help-us-get-our-innocent-dog-darla-home-to-herfamily.

The official rules issued by the Government on banned dogs in the UK say it is against the law to own a pit bull terrier.

The Lancaster Guardian understands that the police officer who seized Darla was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

David Morris MP was contacted by Mrs Armer at the weekend and will be raising her complaint with Lancashire Police.