Dogs dumped over legal confusion

Confusion over the law for pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier dogs has resulted in dogs being left homeless.

Dog wardens are having trouble finding homes for the animals left at the Bristol Dogs Home and the South Gloucestershire kennels.

The situation is being partially linked to the death of Ellie Lawrenson, five, who died after being mauled by a pitbull on New Year's Day in St Helens.

A dog warden for South Gloucestershire Council said it is "soul destroying".

Dog warden Celine Jacobs said: "A lot of people do not seem to realise there is a difference between a pitbull and a Staffordshire and they are very different breeds.

"Staffis generally have a lovely temperament and are not usually at all vicious. People should not just give them up because they think they are something else.

"This year has started in the most terrible way with the attack of a little girl, but the fact of the matter is any breed can be aggressive," she said.

Currently there are two Staffordshire bull terriers in South Gloucestershire kennels, along with an Alsatian and one golden retriever.