Dangerous dogs become gang weapons of choice

London: Scotland Yard is set to launch a new squad to tackle an explosion in the number of dangerous dogs being used in gang-related crime and anti-social behaviour.

New figures show that in eight months last year 494 dangerous dogs were seized by police in London compared with 43 in the four years leading up to March 2006. There are 270 seized dogs in kennels awaiting court proceedings at a cost to the Met of more than £1 million (Dh5,54 million) a year.

Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Allen said dog-related crime and anti-social behaviour was a growing problem. He said pitbull-type dogs had become a weapon of choice in gang-related crime, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

In a report to the Metropolitan Police Authority he says police and animal welfare agencies have seen incidents of abandoned animals, dog-fighting and dog seizures double year on year.

The RSPCA recorded a five-fold increase in dog fighting between 2004 and 2006. A total of 137 fights involved 82 youths fighting their dogs in the park or the street.

After his election Mayor Boris Johnson called for action to curb the rise in the number of dangerous dogs being seized.

Allen said the Met's general dogs unit were being overwhelmed with calls to deal with dangerous animals. From April to December police dealt with 1,342 calls and carried out 404 pre-planned operations.

By law each investigation into allegations involving an animal requires the involvement of a specialist dog handler.