In a heart wrenching scene, the Lancashire Police removed an autistic little girl’s dog from the family home on Norfolk Street, Lancaster last week, contending the pup was a pit bull-type dog which is banned in the country, reported the Mirror UK.
When local dog wardens reported Jenny Armer’s seven-year-old daughter’s best canine friend, Darla to authorities, eight police officers arrived with a warrant to remove the dog from the home. Armer claims the dog is a docile cross between a Shar-Pei and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier; neither of which are on the Dangerous Dogs List. The family adopted the sweet dog when she was just a puppy. Darla has played an important role with young Maddison, who suffers from autism and ADHD. Jenny’s daughter Maddison was extremely distraught:
“My daughter Maddison locked herself in the bathroom with Darla to stop them taking her. They said she measures up to a pitbull-type, and they don’t need to assess her behavior. They told me I could sign a disclaimer to have her put to sleep or I could fight the decision in the court,” stated Jenny.
On Wednesday, the Help Get Darla Home Facebook, announced the news – Darla will be coming home on Thursday!
“We are absolutely delighted to announce that our beloved Darla will be returned to us tomorrow. Our advisors Deed Not Breed, our instructed independent expert Mel Rushmore and our solicitor Kathryn Jamieson Sinclair have been working with the authorities since her seizure and following our own assessment being carried out and an opinion being given by our expert that Darla whilst having characteristics of a type dog had more characteristics of a breed, the police and our team have been in discussions as to the way forward. This has resulted in the police bringing in another independent expert who assessed Darla today and has agreed that Darla has more substantial characteristics of a breed than she does type, and our girl is coming home to us in the morning We acted on the advice of our team in respect of this, hence our posts asking for calm. We hope you will all understand that we could not discuss the details whilst this was all ongoing. I am so happy we are all in tears. I’m so happy I could just screeeaaaammm; words will never be able to describe how grateful I am for the support from you all it has been absolutely amazing. Thank you so so much love to every single person who has helped us through this past 18 days off hell.”
Many thanks to everyone who shared this story, signed the petition and continue to advocate for the repeal of the Dangerous Dogs List. “Kill the deed not the breed.” Live a long and happy life Darla and take good care of Maddison.
Read the earlier story here.
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(Photos Facebook)
Doing my happy dance. I just hope they don’t make the family jump through proverbial hoops to be able to keep the dog. BSL is BS!
Exactly one look at the dog and you can see it is sharpei. of course Im sure the pit hating hags will be saying this is yet another conspiracy and lies etc etc.. lol thrilled the dog is going home!
Doesn’t matter. Dog could look exactly like a pit. Should not have been taken.
Blessed be the lord and all his glory. Please let us all know when you actually have Darla back in your possession. Happy days to the family
Good to hear. I hope they get a certificate they can carry in case anyone else decides to harass them.
I’m so thrilled that you are getting Darla back! I felt so bad that had to happen to you and your family!! 🙂
Yeah!! I’m so happy this turned out well.
Thank goodness they came to their senses! Now do away with their stupid BSL law! There is no reason for such a law!
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!! Wonderful news!!!!
Thank GOODNESS !! for them to do that to a child is just repulsive !!
So wish could see reunion that is going to be tears of joy. l.
glad to see good news for her.i like that.not all dogs breds are like people think.its the owners that makes the dogs bad.
Thank goodness they saw reason. I wish every situation like this one had the same result.
Hopefully this child will bounce back. With her companion returned, it will be that much easier.
I’d hate to be one of the people behind taking the dog though, that will stay with them forever..
[…] Read the previous story here. […]
Are the going to put rapists and murderers to sleep as well ????? They are worst than any breed could be !!
ii agre with you about the rapists and murderders and we should add animal abuse, killers to the list.all animals ar e 4 legged kids wearing fur ,or feathers or other kind of skins also.
I am so relieved and happy that Darla is home. I hope the unnamed neighbor feels rightfully rotten for doing this to Maddison and her family.
So,so happy that this beautiful family has gotten their beloved companion back where she belongs!
ohhh thank you, you grew a heart, now make the whole wretched story into a walt disney movie and lets rework the terrable P.R these dogs have to deal with. every pit bull terrior who enters into a shelter should be culled and imediatally trained for companion, health monotor, police, serch and rescu, rescue dogs, chasing geese from airports and everything else where a cheep solution replaces a failed solution. we can turn things around for these animals. why cant we?