Unemployed canine proprietor warned ‘family-friendly’ XL Bully faces destruction
A dog owner has been told to pay more than £2,000 after being warned his unregistered XL Bully could be destroyed. Bashart Ali, 54, was reported to Birmingham City Council over his ‘family-friendly’ pet Hagler.
The dog was seized by police on April 15 and has been in kennels ever since, a court was told. The dad-of-two was told he faces prison or paying for his dog’s euthanasia – if he fails to obtain an exemption within the next two months.
Unemployed Ali, who is financially supported by his wife and not on benefits, must pay the court a total of £2,178.
This includes £1,925 to police for kennel costs. The sum includes a £120 fine, £48 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. As he was sentenced on Tuesday (June 23), Ali, of Birmingham, asked the court: “When am I going to get the dog back?”
His fine had been reduced because he pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing a fighting dog. The chair of the magistrates told him: “We are satisfied he [Hagler] doesn’t pose a risk. But he is a banned type of dog, so you must obtain a certificate.
“You must do this within two months. It will include that the dog is neutered, microchipped and insured. When in a public place, you must keep him on a lead and muzzled.
“If you don’t comply with this order or fail to do this in time, you commit an offence and this may result in prison, or the dog may be seized and destroyed. And you may have to pay for the costs of destruction.”
Ali was reported to the council by his neighbour, although his dog has not been involved in any fights, the court was told. The prosecutor said: “Police have attended his address because local authorities have reported he had an unregistered XL Bully. They have attended and found the dog with no exemption in place.
“They have seized the dog and taken him into West Midlands Police kennels. The dog is indeed an XL Bully. Police are asking for a Contingent Destruction Order (CDO) [allowing the dog to be spared from euthanasia]. The dog has not been involved in any dog fighting, he is to be exempted within two months.
“Police have asked me to highlight this point – £24million has been spent in kennel fees by police across the UK.” The prosecution asked for compensation as the cost to look after Hagler was estimated at £25 a day.
His defence lawyer said he is currently unemployed and not on any benefits, and is supported by his wife who works for the city council.
Ms Begum, mitigating,, added: “The dog is a family-friendly dog, there have been no issues with the dog. It is West Midlands Police’s view that he is not to be destroyed, the dog should be returned but with the right measures in place.
“The defendant wants to do what’s right and have his dog returned.” A collection order was made and it was agreed he could pay £100 per month, with the first payment due within 28 days.
