A Deemster has ruled the continued detention of a Doberman Pinscher was unlawful.
However Deemster John Needham said the Constabulary was correct to seize the dog in the first instance.
The judgment concerned the seizure of a dog named Bronson from his owner, Richard Wilson, in Nobles Park on May 26 2024.
Police had seized the dog because an officer was said to have had reasonable cause to believe he was dangerous, at large without a muzzle and not under proper control.
This decision was based on the dog’s behaviour that day and previous reports about its conduct.
Powers
Mr Wilson filed a doleance claim seeking the dog’s return, which was voluntarily done by police in early December 2024.
During this time he was held by the MSPCA.
Deemster Needham concluded that the initial seizure was “within the four corners of the statutory power available”.
However, he found the retention period became excessive.
He said that “the retention of Bronson by the defendant between September 20 2024 and December 6 2024 was unlawful.”
This was because the power to seek a destruction order had lapsed.
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