A SUSPECTED banned dangerous dog was seized by police at an address in Brockley on Thursday.

Pit-bull terriers and their cross-breeds are one of the dogs outlawed by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - introduced after a string of attacks and deaths from aggressive breeds.

This suspected pitbull crossbreed was found during a police raid at a house in Avon Road at around 8.40am.

The owner has not been arrested as police say they believe the dog was bought in good faith without knowledge of the breed.

The animal is now being held at Lewisham police station while inquiries continue.

PC Isabel Tims of Brockley Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "We do our utmost to protect the residents of our ward by acting proactively to concerns that we have as well as information passed to us by the community.

“Following this seizure we would urge all potential owners to research the type of dog they want prior to purchasing it so they do not inadvertently become owners of an illegal dog."

The Dangerous Dog Act 1991 means it is illegal to own pitbull terriers, the Japanese tosa, the dogo Argentino or the fila Brasileiro breeds without exemption from a court.

It is also an offence to allow a dog to be out of control in a public place or a private place where it is not allowed to be.

To learn more visit defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/dangerous/