13 'illegal' dogs are seized from town where two were mauled to death

Is this town the epicentre of Britain’s banned dog breeds? Police in Caerphilly swoop on several addresses and seize 13 ‘illegal dogs’ after great-grandmother, 83, and boy, 10, were mauled to death

• Officers in Caerphilly have seized 13 suspected ‘illegal’ dogs so far this year
• Residents are now being urged to report any dog they fear is a dangerous breed 

Police in a Welsh town where a great-grandmother and 10-year-old boy were mauled to death by bully breeds have already seized 13 suspected ‘illegal’ dogs so far this year.

Officers seized the suspected pit bull-type animals over the last several weeks from multiple residences in Caerphilly, a town situated north of Cardiff at the southern end of the Rhymney Valley.

Last week’s raid, which marked the 13th seizure this year, took place just weeks after a suspected adult pit bull and six puppies were taken into police custody.  

The crackdown comes after great-great-grandmother Shirley Patrick, 83, and schoolboy Jack Lis, 10, were killed by XL Bully breeds. 

The pair lived just half a mile away from each other and died one year apart.

Police have seized 13 suspected ‘illegal’ dogs from several residences in the town where great-grandmother Shirley Patrick (left) and 10-year-old Jack Lis (right) were mauled to death

Officers in Caerphilly have carried out several warrants over the last couple of weeks to seize suspected pit bull-type animals. beast, the dog that killed Jack Lis, is pictured above

Gwent Police today have urged residents to report any dog they fear is a dangerous breed after revealing they have spent several weeks carrying out warrants to seize dogs in Caerphilly.

Inspector Rhys Caddick, whose area covers the town, revealed to councillors that a raid was carried out last week in Penyrheol – where Mrs Partrick and Jack were both killed.

‘Two dogs have been seized from the address on suspicion of being a banned breed, thought to be of pit bull type,’ he said.

‘As with other recent seizures the dogs are being cared for pending examination.

‘This is the 13th dog seized from Caerphilly South this year. We are working towards identifying a bloodline of note and I expect further police activity in the near future.’

Police also recently issued a Community Protection Warning against a dog owner who was allowing an American Bully type dog to roam the street outside.

Gwent Police are now urging residents to report any dog they fear is a dangerous breed. Officers are pictured last year seizing the dog that killed Mrs Patrick

Mrs Patrick died in hospital 17 days after suffering ‘life-threatening injuries’ to her head, body, face and arms by a black XL Bully cross Cane Corso breed. The dog that killed her is pictured

Interactive map reveals every fatal dog attack from the start of 2020: READ MORE HERE

In all, there have been 18 deadly dog attacks since January 2020, with last year being the deadliest on record

Councillor Lindsay Whittle, who is the leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly council and a Penyrheol ward member, expressed her gratitude to the force for their ‘high profile action against the owners of potentially dangerous dogs.’

‘I would urge any resident to report any dog they fear is a dangerous breed,’ she told residents. ‘Families in our community have been left devastated by dog attacks so action to reduce the chances of similar incidents is welcomed.

‘Breeds of dogs seized also need to be identified within weeks and dogs returned to the owners only if the authorities are satisfied it is safe to do so. There needs to be consideration for the welfare of the seized animal.

‘It is also important that Parliament toughen the legislation covering dangerous dogs to better protect the public.’

Mrs Patrick died in hospital 17 days after suffering ‘life-threatening injuries’ to her head, body, face and arms by a black XL Bully cross Cane Corso breed.

Her daughter Gail Jones, 63, said her mother had been suffering with dementia when she was attacked in December last year.

Her death came after little Jack was killed by a seven stone XL Bully named Beast after going to a house to play in November 2021.

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