A man who had his XL Bully seized after owning it illegally has had the dog returned.

Jason Adams, 37, of Lawrence Close, Eldene, pleaded guilty to possession of a fighting dog at Swindon Magistrates Court on November 5.

Mr Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that Adams had contacted the police himself and told them he did not get the Certificate of Exemption for his XL Bully before regulations changed on February 1, making it illegal to own an XL Bully without a valid Certificate of Exemption. 

His dog was seized and assessed in kennels and Adams claimed the vet misinformed him and said he had until the end of June, so he did not realise he had to complete the paperwork and ensure the dog was microchipped, spade and insured by the end of January.

Adams told officers during his interview that he agreed to take the three-year-old dog from a friend when they were moving into a flat and that it was “good as gold” and a “really nice dog.”

It had cost Wiltshire Police £572 to keep the pet in kennels, but the dog had been returned prior to Adams’ sentencing as it was already neutered, insured and microchipped.

Adams, self-representing, said: “It’s my fault really. I should have looked into it more deeply.”

The Magistrate told him: “You have lots and lots of good mitigation here.

“You have been found guilty in effect by a technicality.”

The judge sentenced Adams to an absolute discharge, explaining: "You’re technically guilty but you’re actually not" and said the decision not to punish a defendant was not one she believes she has made before.

She told him: “You’ve done everything more or less correctly. It’s a small mistake and you’ve been told by a professional. You even contacted the police and did everything correctly there.

"Even the police think you’re good enough to have the dog and return it back to you.

However, the Magistrate ordered Adams to pay £250 towards kennel costs, as “police are having lots of problems with these dogs at the moment" and invited him back to the court to get assistance from staff if he has any issues trying to organise a Certificate of Exemption for the dog.

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