Two years ago Devon Police seized Stella after her owner was arrested on an unrelated matter in 2014. She was considered potentially dangerous because of her breed, her behaviour when police seized her and her behaviour in assessments. Court proceedings heard from her owner, Antony Hastie, who said there were no incidents of aggressive behaviour prior to her being seized. Evidence heard during the court case included video footage of Stella's behaviour after she had spent nearly two years locked in the kennel. In February 2016 it was ruled she should be destroyed.

For the entire two years she has been kept in a in a 3ft by 9ft cage, apart from being taken out for behavioural assessment. The RSPCA state that every animal seized by police forces should get at least 30 minutes exercise a day. How would you feel if you were locked up with no exercise in a tiny cage? The psychological and physical harm would affect the dog and thus make subsequent assessments completely unfair. Although only Devon Police know the results of the assessments, it is completely unfair to use these results to justify her being destroyed.

Also we ask that Devon Police do not destroy Stella until every other potential avenue has been explored. After enduring this level of cruelty she deserves a chance to find a potential owner or organisation that specialises in rehabilitating these type of dogs.

This petition will help pressure Devon Police to ensure this doesn't happen ever again and potentially save Stella's life. They currently have several other dogs that are being subjected to this appalling torture. Use the following link to complain directly and also to view the full BBC article.

https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/how-to-make-a-complaint/​

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-35635935