Three charged over illegal dogs

Owners can be fined up to £5,000 or face a prison sentence

Three people are due in court charged under dangerous dogs legislation in Greater Manchester.

Police confirmed the cases were due to be heard in the next few weeks over the ownership of the dangerous pit bull terrier-type dogs.

Thirty summons notices had been sent to dog owners across Oldham over the last three years for alleged breaches of the Dangerous Dogs Act, police said.

Owners can be fined up to £5,000 or face a prison sentence.

The news comes after five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death in St Helens by a pit bull terrier-type breed.

Four types of animal are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act - pit bull terriers, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brazileiro.