Pitbulls for sale over internet

The sale did not go ahead after the dealer was confronted by the BBC

Potentially lethal pitbull terriers are being sold illegally, a BBC South East investigation has revealed.

An undercover reporter posed as a buyer in Otford, Kent, to purchase a five-month-old pitbull for £450, after contacting a dealer via the internet.

The RSPCA has condemned the practice as "cruel and illegal".

Evidence about the dealer will be passed to police. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act it is illegal to own a pitbull without a certificate of exemption.

Exemption is rarely granted, and only if the dog is neutered and microchipped.

A deal was made to sell the puppy, confirmed as a pitbull terrier by a veterinary surgeon who saw its pictures, to the BBC.

When the dealer was confronted by the journalist about his illegal activity, he refused to comment and the sale did not go ahead.

A second pitbull-type dog was offered to the reporter for £250 by another private seller in East Sussex.

'Killer dogs'

The first dealer, who offered the dog for sale with no documents, told reporter Colin Campbell: "His mum and dad are definitely pitbulls - American Staffs."

He said the dog's mother "was like a regular fighting dog in Bradford", and that her two puppies had been fighting from an early age.

And he went on to say the puppy had been "fine" with his little nephew, but "I wouldn't leave a little kid unattended with a dog whatever".

It's like someone walking down the high street with a shotgun Ian Gough, RSPCA

The dealer added: "The only reason I'm selling him is because I've had the council round.

"Whenever they do come round I just say it's a Staff.

"Take them near any other dog and it would rip it to shreds, he added.

"If you let if off the lead it will go for a dog - it won't mess about.

"When you take them for a walk, you literally have to hold them down."

RSPCA inspector, Ian Gough, said the problem with pitbulls was their strong bite.

"Whereas an ordinary dog can possibly kill, a pitbull can kill without a great deal of effort, he said.

Child attacked

"It's like someone walking down the high street with a shotgun, spinning it around on their finger - it might go off and it might not.

"A pitbull is like that - it can go through its life quite happily with the right type of family - then all of a sudden it goes off, attacks and can potentially kill," he added.

Susan Lyons, mother of five-year-old Justin who nearly lost his arm in a pitbull attack last summer, said: "I can't see why people want them - they're bred for fighting.

"They're not a family pet and you don't know when they're going to turn.

"They don't care where these dogs are going. They don't vet the houses - all they are interested in is making a fast buck."

It comes less than a month after the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson who was attacked and killed by a pitbull terrier-type dog in Merseyside.