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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Death Row' dog Stella freed and gets new owner | 'Death Row' dog Stella freed and gets new owner |
| (6 days later) | |
| A dog seized by police and refused exercise for nearly two years has been freed from a death sentence and adopted by a kennel owner. | A dog seized by police and refused exercise for nearly two years has been freed from a death sentence and adopted by a kennel owner. |
| Stella, a pitbull-type dog, was seized in 2014 and a destruction order was passed by a court in February. | Stella, a pitbull-type dog, was seized in 2014 and a destruction order was passed by a court in February. |
| But earlier, Exeter Crown Court granted Stella a reprieve. | But earlier, Exeter Crown Court granted Stella a reprieve. |
| Her new owner Carolyne Pharaoh took her on after Stella's previous owner Antony Hastie agreed to transfer ownership. | Her new owner Carolyne Pharaoh took her on after Stella's previous owner Antony Hastie agreed to transfer ownership. |
| Police had seized the dog because of its breed, its behaviour when officers seized the dog, and subsequent behavioural assessments. | Police had seized the dog because of its breed, its behaviour when officers seized the dog, and subsequent behavioural assessments. |
| Ms Pharaoh told the court: "I have formed a real bond with Stella. I'm very fond of her, my family are very fond of her. I feel we can give her a good quality of life." | Ms Pharaoh told the court: "I have formed a real bond with Stella. I'm very fond of her, my family are very fond of her. I feel we can give her a good quality of life." |
| The court heard how Ms Pharaoh has converted a stable to a dog room and has given Stella access to a yard and a securely fenced field. | The court heard how Ms Pharaoh has converted a stable to a dog room and has given Stella access to a yard and a securely fenced field. |
| 'Eternally grateful' | 'Eternally grateful' |
| Judge Graham Cottle, sitting with two magistrates, issued Stella with a contingent destruction order. | Judge Graham Cottle, sitting with two magistrates, issued Stella with a contingent destruction order. |
| Judge Cottle said: "We have to be sure Stella doesn't pose a risk to public safety. Carolyne Pharaoh said she will take ownership of the dog and apply for an exemption certificate. | Judge Cottle said: "We have to be sure Stella doesn't pose a risk to public safety. Carolyne Pharaoh said she will take ownership of the dog and apply for an exemption certificate. |
| "It's clear she is very willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure Stella is not a risk to public safety", he told the court. | "It's clear she is very willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure Stella is not a risk to public safety", he told the court. |
| Mr Hastie, cried and hugged Ms Pharaoh, whom he said he was "eternally grateful" to. | Mr Hastie, cried and hugged Ms Pharaoh, whom he said he was "eternally grateful" to. |
| "I'm made up that she [Stella] is going to be free," he said. | "I'm made up that she [Stella] is going to be free," he said. |
| "It's broken my heart for the last two and a half years." | "It's broken my heart for the last two and a half years." |
| Devon and Cornwall Police said they supported the court's decision "due to the suitability of the new keeper to look after and rehabilitate Stella." | Devon and Cornwall Police said they supported the court's decision "due to the suitability of the new keeper to look after and rehabilitate Stella." |
| "Devon and Cornwall Police has on a number of occasions shared its concerns at the lengthy delay to cases, caused by legislation, the court system and on occasions the unfit owners surrounding the issue of dangerous dogs," a spokesman said. | "Devon and Cornwall Police has on a number of occasions shared its concerns at the lengthy delay to cases, caused by legislation, the court system and on occasions the unfit owners surrounding the issue of dangerous dogs," a spokesman said. |
| "The force has already put forward a report to the Defra Select Committee inquiry into the welfare of seized domestic animals." | "The force has already put forward a report to the Defra Select Committee inquiry into the welfare of seized domestic animals." |