Ok i am new here and i like this site very much, if this question has been asked many times, i do appologize.
i live in jersey and i presume pit bulls are illegal here, as they are in the uk.
i have owned, loved and cared for 3 amazing staffies.
i have always had a love for the look of pit bulls, especially the american ones, i just think they look awesome.
if i was to import one in from holland, would i be able to say it is a staffie, or will i need paperwork to prove it?
i have read somewhere that even though they are illegal that as long as they are checked over and deemed not to be dangerous and that cetain things are done and you abide by certain criterea that you are allowed to own one.
i have found a family breeder in holland who after doing some research and talking to him that his dogs are all bred for temprament and nothing else, they are brought up in the family home around his children as well. they are gorgeous looking dogs.
i know i should stay well clear and i may have to go through some red tape but is it possible to own one and not get it confiscated,
i have given all 3 of my dogs amazing life and my 7 year old son is missing his baby now she has passed away, she was the runt of the litter and lived for 15 years. best girl i ever had... and we all really miss her....i really would like a pit bull and i am prepared for any red tape i may have to go through but the fear of having it destroyed haunts me.
i would appreciate any advise on (a) importing any sort of dog in the uk and what is involved in it and( b) evryones opinion on this. whether i would get away with this without having it confiscated.
i thank anyone in advance who can give me any real constructive feedback and do not wish to hear any deogratory comments... dont know if i spelled that word correctly but i am sure you know what i mean,

i look forward to some help and advise.

Hi,

I have nothing against the breed, only good comments from the ones I met in the US and OZ. However Jersey is part of the UK and therefore they are a banned breed for you too. I wouldn't even think about entertaining the idea of trying to import one from Holland or any other country.
The dog itself if coming in from another country like Holland will need a pet passport and as such I can't see how you would get away with passing a Pitty off as any other breed, even a Staff, they are so different in size.
You would yourself get yourself into a lot of trouble if caught trying to import a banned breed(regardless of what you think of the law), the pup/dog would be confiscated and the chances of you now getting the dog back will be slim to none.
What about if you did get the dog in, Jersey is a small island, people talk and the chances of being reported are high in this day and age, dog again will be removed from you, placed in kennels until confirmed if a Pitty or not.

If you really like Staff's then get another of those. Or what about a larger bully type breed which is legal in the UK?
Please don't go and break the law!! Its there for a reason and its not a good example to set your son now is it?

As an ex owner of an APBT (he was PTS aged 17) I love love love the breed so know exactly where you are coming from.

The one and only reason that puts me off having another one is that I wouldn't want to have to constant worry about the dog being investigated and possibly confiscated. I feel that you would be setting yourself and your son up for a lot of heartbreak.

i have read somewhere that even though they are illegal that as long as they are checked over and deemed not to be dangerous and that cetain things are done and you abide by certain criterea that you are allowed to own one.

That usually follows a court case which can take years. But even if you won, what kind of life is it for a dog to have to be kept on a short lead and always be muzzled in public? Never be able to run free?

I do not wish to be rude, but for someone to even suggest trying to pass off a pit bull as a staffie is deeply irresponsible. They are separate breeds with different characteristics. In terms of owning a pit bull, they must be registered, neutered, microchipped, insured and wear a muzzle in public. It is illegal to breed from them.
However, it is also illegal to import one so your chances are nil, I'm afraid.

The information below is copied from the Kennel Club website and should tell you all you need to know. Further queries can be put to DEFRA or to Trevor Cooper- but I think the answer is no.

Please do not try to pass a pit bull off as a staff. Why not get a staff instead?

Useful information on Pitbull Terrier Law

Advice from www.doglaw.co.uk concerning Pit Bull Terrier Type dogs



As a result of recent events, we have put together this brief summary of the law together with some practical advice.  It is not intended to be a complete review of the law relating to pit bull terriers and you should take legal advice on your specific circumstances.

If you think you have an unregistered pit bull type dog, it cannot be voluntarily registered.  Owning an unregistered pit bull terrier type dog is unlawful and if you have such a dog you are committing a criminal offence.

An option available to you is, of course, to have the dog destroyed.  We appreciate that in most cases this would be unacceptable to a pet owner.  If you do not want to have your dog destroyed:-

1.    Have a look at the DEFRA guidance on identification of unlawful dogs to see if your dog might fall under the definition of a pit bull type (via the links page on this site - see 'DEFRA guidance on prohibited dogs').  Alternatively, go to the Police (see 3 below)

2.   Take your dog to your vet to ask for an opinion of the dog's type NB  Not all vets are sufficiently familiar with this complicated area of identification, so you may be referred to someone else.  (There are also some show judges, and others, who have expertise on this issue but we have suggested your vet as the first person to speak to for the sake of convenience).  Alternatively, go to the Police (see 3 below)

3.   Contact your local Police and ask them what they would like you to do.  If the Police believe that your dog is a pit bull type, there is a significant risk that your dog will be seized and will remain in a Police appointed kennel until the case is concluded.

4.   The Police will have your dog examined by their experts and if they conclude that your dog is a pit bull terrier type, you will probably be prosecuted under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.  At Court, unless you can prove that your dog isn't a pit bull terrier type dog you will be convicted.  Although the Act gives a maximum penalty of 6 months prison, we have never dealt with a case where an 'ordinary' dog owner has been sent to prison for this offence.  The most likely sentence is that you will be fined (or given a conditional discharge) and ordered to pay costs (which may include kennelling fees).  As to your dog, you will need to prove that it would not constitute a danger to public safety, and if you can, the Court may allow it to be registered (otherwise it must be destroyed).  You will have to pay for the registration fee, the insurance, the neutering, microchipping and insurance.  The dog will not be returned to you until all this is completed.  Please remember that once the dog is returned then other conditions must also be complied with (see below).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.     What is a pit bull terrier type dog
A.      Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 relates to dogs of the type known as the pit bull terrier.  The High Court has decided that for a dog to be a pit bull type, it must have a substantial number of the physical characteristics of a pit bull terrier.  These characteristics are listed in a number of places, and probably the most comprehensive (and that generally relied on by Courts) is the American Dog Breeders Association's Basis of Conformation for the American Pit Bull Terrier.  This is a functional standard which describes the ideal, and so the dog does not have to conform in every detail to be regarded as a pit bull type.  DEFRA has produced guidance which summarises some of the main physical aspects of a pit bull terrier (see 'DEFRA guidance on prohibited dogs' which can be accessed via the links page on this site)Q.    But I have a dog with a nice temperament.  Surely this can't be regarded as a pit bull type
A.     The High Court has ruled that the behaviour of a dog is relevant but not conclusive when determining whether a dog is a pit bull type

Q.    Surely there is a DNA test that can be used
A.     Not at present.  In any event, the legal test is predominantly on the basis of physical conformation so it isn't just about the breeding but is about what the dog looks like.

Q.    Doesn't the law just apply to pure bred pit bulls
A.    No.  Cross-breeds and mongrels could be regarded as pit bull types depending on their physical conformation.

Q.    How does the prosecution prove their case

A.     In Court the burden of proof is on the dog owner to prove that the dog isn't  a pit bull type.  This reversal of the usual burden of proof has been challenged in the European Court, but has been found to be lawful.  It is therefore very difficult to successfully defend a case.  The evidence is likely to be given by experts.

Q.     Can a pit bull type dog ever be lawfully owned
A.     Owners were given a short period of time to have their dogs registered onto the Index of Exempted Dogs, but this form of voluntary registration ended in 1991. Since 1997 the law has been slightly relaxed, so that if an owner is prosecuted for possession of an unregistered pit bull type dog the Court may allow the dog to be registered (and all of the other conditions must be complied with) but only if the owner can prove that the dog would not constitute a danger to public safety.  If this cannot be proven then the Court must order that the dog be destroyed.

Q.      What are the conditions of owning a pit bull type apart from having the dog registered
A.       The dog has to be neutered, microchipped, tattooed and insured.  Also, no person shall:
Breed, or breed from, the dog
Sell or exchange the dog or offer, advertise or expose the dog for sale or exchange
Make or offer to make a gift of the dog or advertise or expose the dog as a gift
Allow the dog to be in a public place without being muzzled and kept on a lead
Abandon the dog or allow it to stray

Q.       What would happen if any of the conditions are breached after a dog has been registered
A.        It is a criminal offence and in addition to penalties for the Defendant there is a presumption that the dog shall be destroyed

Trevor Cooper,
Cooper & Co Solicitors,
The Byre,
Brook Street,
Ash, nr Canterbury,
Kent, CT3 2NP.
Regulated by the Law Society.
www.doglaw.co.uk

Thanks for everyone who replied.
I suppose I knew what the replies would be but sometimes u need someone else to spell it out for you.
I pretty sure if I could get the dog here I would be able to pass it off as a staffie- American bull dog cross but I would not like to take that risk as it would not be fare on the dog. That would be pretty selfish off me
Shame cause I would of loved one.
Looks like it's back to the old faithful staffs. Does anyone know who breeds long legged chunky staffs ?
Again... Thanks guys for your replies

Does anyone know who breeds long legged chunky staffs ?

Bear in mind even over sized, leggy Staffies with KC registration HAVE been convicted under the DDA as being Pit Bull types. They go on looks only.

Goldmali's quite correct, many SBT's , Boxer X Sbt's, SBT's X Lab's have all been seized and destroyed by the police, some pure bred Lab's could  possibly be judged as being "of type" ( the dog doesn't have to be a PB, just look a bit like one ) as the criteria is so vague and set on  measurements, ie, length of muzzle, width of head and so on. Also bare in mind a dog doesn't have to have done anything wrong to be seized, it just takes someone pointing the finger .
You'd be much better off getting a well bred Staff that looks like a Staff, which, in my opinion is the best breed by a mile ( not that I'm biased at all lol )