USPCA denies bungling operation

The pit bull terrier arrived in Dublin via Frankfurt

The USPCA has denied claims that it mismanaged an operation to recover three illegal pit bull terriers.

One animal believed to have been used in illegal dog-fights was seized on Wednesday at the Dungannon home of Tyrone GAA footballer Gerard Cavlan.

Three other dogs were left at the scene until the following morning but were gone when officials returned.

Mr Cavlan's solicitor said neither he or his client had given an undertaking to present the dogs to the USPCA.

The dog, named Cannonball, had arrived in Dublin on a pet passport which said its owner was in Finland.

The USPCA said a vet had examined the male dog and found its injuries were consistent with wounds inflicted during dog-fighting.

USPCA spokesman Stephen Philpott said they had decided to deal first "with the animal they were most concerned about".

Ger Cavlan plays Gaelic football for Tyrone

"We decided to come back the next day because of assurances given to us by the people present that the animals would be there for us," Mr Philpott said.

"Because those animals were not injured, in other words healthy, and because we wanted the dog warden with us we decided to return in the morning."

The animal charity said the seized dog had been tracked on flights from Finland through Frankfurt and then into Dublin.

Mr Cavlan has said through his solicitor that he neither owned the seized dog nor condoned dog-fighting.

Meanwhile, Dungannon Council dog wardens have seized another pit bull terrier during searches on a number of premises on Friday.

In a statement the council said police and USPCA personnel had accompanied their wardens "on a series of raids".

"A pit bull was seized from one of the addresses visited and this dog is now in the care of the USPCA," the council said.

"Attempts are being made to establish if there is a link between this dog and the animals that disappeared following a... raid on the home of Gerard Cavlan."