XL Bully Owner Reunited With Pet After Nine-Month Seizure

After a nine-month period, a dog owner has been reunited with his XL bully, a pet he described as his “great, big boy,” following its seizure by police, an event he stated contributed to his struggle with depression. Richard Lyttle’s dog, Hugo Boss, escaped from the family residence in Colchester in February, not wearing a muzzle at the time. Mr. Lyttle stated that he promptly recovered the nine-stone (57kg) animal from the street; however, his pet was subsequently placed in a kennel and remained there despite successfully completing temperament assessments. Essex Police commented that animals taken into custody receive appropriate care to maintain their health, and determinations regarding their return are “matters for the courts.” The XL bully, recognized as the largest variety of American bully dog, requires an exemption certificate for legal ownership in the UK, as possessing one without such documentation constitutes a criminal offense. Owners of registered dogs are mandated to ensure secure housing and to keep their pets on a lead and muzzled when in public spaces. Mr. Lyttle expressed his relief, stating, “I’m so glad I’ve got my dog back but I’ve been dealing with this for nine months and it has made me very depressed.” He further added, “Hugo is part of our family so it’s been at the back of my mind all the time and the guilt and heartache has been too much – my dog was in a kennel suffering.” He described Hugo, saying, “He is a great big nine-stone boy and would knock you over but he is an absolutely beautiful dog and very gentle and calm.” Mr. Lyttle also mentioned, “We had a report from the kennels saying Hugo is an absolute gentleman and is an exceptional, highly trained, human-loving dog and not a danger.” Mr. Lyttle holds the view that Hugo’s return was unduly delayed and voiced concerns regarding the potential effects of an extended period in a kennel on his animal. He further commented, “It could have damaged him or changed his personality – I can’t imagine what he went through emotionally.” A spokesperson for Essex Police stated: “Our priority at all times is to make sure the public are safe, and to do so we may have to seize dogs.” The spokesperson continued, “These animals are held in contracted kennels where they receive daily exercise, specific food for any dogs requiring different dietary requirements for medical reasons, and monthly visits from vets to ensure they remain in good health.” They concluded by saying, “Any decisions about returning dogs to their owners are matters for the courts, with police responsible for their care until the courts have reached their decision.” Information regarding Essex news is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Details on our policy regarding external links are available for review.