Dog destroyed after attacking family

Armed police respond to Exeter emergency

A dog has been put down after attacked members of its family and escaping from its home in Exeter.

Emergency services were called to the Beacon Heath area of the city on Friday afternoon following reports about a dangerous dog, thought to be American bulldog.

The dog had also attacked another pet in the household. 

With concerns for the safety of other people in the area, the police helicopter and armed officers responded the incident.

The dog could not be brought under control and is said to have been put down humanely. 

The people it attacked have slight injuries and the other pet has puncture wounds that are not life-threatening. 

Some kinds of American bulldogs have been found to be pitbulls by UK courts. Pitbulls are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which was introduced 30 years ago following a number of attacks in which people were seriously injured or killed. Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentines and File Brasileiros were banned by the same piece of legislation.

Cross-breeding prohibited breeds is also banned, but courts have to decide whether the specific characteristics of particular dogs mean they are banned.

There is nothing to suggest that the pet in this case was banned, although on this day it was deemed to be dangerous.

Insp Greg Hine said: "The decision to authorise an armed response to this incident was not taken lightly, but we responded proportionately to the risk to public safety.

"Unfortunately, the dog could not be controlled and was humanely put down.

"The owners agreed with our course of action, which we appreciate was upsetting for them and for the community."

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 472 of 7 January.