Police force spent £100,000 caring for seized dogs

It included 17 XL Bullies which had been seized by police ahead of a court decision

A police force has revealed it had spent more than £100,000 kennelling seized dogs, including 17 XL bullies which were spared death by magistrates.

The pets were found to be unregistered with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following a change in the law last year.

Magistrates in Great Yarmouth sat in a special session over two days last week to determine the future of the dogs.

Paul Sanford, chief constable of Norfolk Police, described paying for the dogs to be kennelled as a "new demand and new pressure".

"They're the sort of pressures we're facing and the jam is only spread so thin," he added.

Norfolk Police said costs associated with caring for seized dogs included kennelling, veterinary bills and officers' time.

Chief Constable Paul Sanford says there is a "huge strain" on finances in the criminal justice system

Mr Sanford has spoken out in the past about police forces needing more money to tackle changing trends in crime.

In October 2023, the Dangerous Dogs Act was amended to include XL bullies following a number of attacks.

It meant from 1 February 2024, anyone that owned one of the dogs would be required by law to have it registered.

Owners without an exemption certificate faced having their pet seized by police and up to six months in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

Magistrates in Great Yarmouth were satisfied the owners were fit and proper people, that the dogs had passed police inspections and that registered addresses were secure.

Earlier this year, a police chief warned the XL bully dog ban posed "logistical challenges" for officers.