A dog that was deemed to be dangerous by North Yorkshire Police has been spared from being put down

An Akita named Harry, deemed dangerous, has been put under stringent regulations, enforced by the North Yorkshire Magistrates' Court after a decision on whether he would be put down was made at the court on Monday (February 12).

The owner of the dog, Mandy Stonehouse, from St Hillary's Close, Richmond, faced an application for the destruction of her pet under the Dangerous Dogs Act but the application was refused upon the condition of strict rules being adhered to.

The court ordered Stonehouse to maintain full control over Harry's actions and interactions.

The terms state that Harry be kept on a lead at all times while in public, and never to be left unsupervised with children under the age of 16. 

Harry is not to be walked by anyone under the age of 16 and his home environment must be secured with a locked gate or a high bolt door.

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Stonehouse is also required to have Harry castrated within six weeks and complete behaviour training.

The court also demanded that Stonehouse take out public liability insurance for Harry's lifetime, and allow periodic police checks on the conditions of Harry's housing.

Therefore, despite potential risks, Harry has narrowly escaped destruction due to this ruling on February 12, 2024, and the Akita from Richmond has its life saved by the York court order.