Unlicensed breeder banned from keeping animals after police shoot dangerous dog

AN UNLICENSED dog breeder has been banned from keeping animals after he abandoned a caucasian shepherd bitch which was then controversially shot by police marksmen.

There was an outcry when Cleveland Police officers shot the large and powerful dog after it was tied to a pole in Hartlepool in January.

Officers and the RSPCA said the dog, named Angel by supporters, was too aggressive to approach and could not be safely untied.

Inquiries found the dog belonged to Suleman Halane, 22, from Hartlepool, and on the day of trial at Teesside Magistrates’ Court he admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control.

He was banned from keeping animals for five years, given a 12week curfew, a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £620 costs from his benefits.

Anne Mitchell, prosecuting, said the dog was tied up in the early hours of the morning and was “clearly dangerously out of control”.

She said: “It was extremely strong and aggressive, and it was unsafe for anyone to approach it.”

Dog wardens, police and the RSPCA were called to the scene and after an assessment lasting several hours, it was decided that the only safe option was to put the dog down, the court heard.

Halane, who came to Hartlepool after being homeless in London, intended to breed from this dog and another caucasian shepherd called General, the court was told.

That dog has been taken in by the RSPCA but must also be put down due to its demeanour, the court heard.

The probation officer told the court: “He said this dog was the craziest dog he had ever known. He tried to rehome her but nobody wanted her.

“He used to take the dogs out late at night when there was nobody else around.”

On the night he dumped her, the dog went for him and by this time he felt she was “ruining his life”. Halane told his probation officer the dog had jumped through a window and smashed the glass and had wrecked things in his house.

Outside court, Assistant Chief Constable Jason Harwin said: “Public safety is our priority as always.”