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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Merseyside's dogs amnesty begins | Merseyside's dogs amnesty begins |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A week-long dangerous dogs amnesty is beginning on Merseyside, allowing owners to hand in their animals without being prosecuted. | A week-long dangerous dogs amnesty is beginning on Merseyside, allowing owners to hand in their animals without being prosecuted. |
| Four types of animal are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - pit bull terriers, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro. | Four types of animal are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - pit bull terriers, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro. |
| Animals can be handed in between 0700 GMT, and midnight next Tuesday. | Animals can be handed in between 0700 GMT, and midnight next Tuesday. |
| The amnesty follows the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, mauled to death by a dog on New Year's Day. | The amnesty follows the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, mauled to death by a dog on New Year's Day. |
| Ellie was killed by her uncle's pit bull terrier at her grandmother's house in St Helens. | Ellie was killed by her uncle's pit bull terrier at her grandmother's house in St Helens. |
| The one-year-old dog, called Rueben, was shot dead after the attack in which Ellie's grandmother was also hurt. | The one-year-old dog, called Rueben, was shot dead after the attack in which Ellie's grandmother was also hurt. |
| Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death on New Year's DayEllie's uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, was questioned over the attack but not arrested. | Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death on New Year's DayEllie's uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, was questioned over the attack but not arrested. |
| Merseyside Police have said it is up to dog owners to contact them to arrange for dogs to be collected from their homes. | Merseyside Police have said it is up to dog owners to contact them to arrange for dogs to be collected from their homes. |
| If the owner of an illegal dog chooses not to hand it over voluntarily then the dog will be seized and owners could face a £5,000 fine and six months imprisonment. | |
| The court will then decide if the dog is to be destroyed. | |
| If the dog is not put down, it will be placed on the Index of Exempted Dogs. | |
| However, it will have to be neutered, tattooed and micro-chipped in addition to being kept on a lead and muzzled when in a public place. | |
| Also, the dog cannot be left in possession or control of anybody under the age of 16. | |
| Officers have said the main problem on Merseyside is with pit-bull terrier types, but all illegal dogs will be collected. | |
| Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "We want you to hand in illegal dogs, including the pit bull and pit bull type. | Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "We want you to hand in illegal dogs, including the pit bull and pit bull type. |
| "You may not agree with the hand-in but I am sure all parents will want to prioritise the safety of their children above the affection for their dogs." | "You may not agree with the hand-in but I am sure all parents will want to prioritise the safety of their children above the affection for their dogs." |