FOUR suspected dangerous dogs have been seized in police raids in Huddersfield.

The animals will now be checked over by a vet to determine if they are banned breeds.

The dogs were seized yesterday as part of a police and council operation in Huddersfield.

Officers from the Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing team obtained warrants to carry out the raids on three houses in Dalton and Rawthorpe.

They were there to support Kirklees Council Dog Wardens who seized the animals under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

It is understood the wardens had been gathering evidence for some time about the dogs, following tip-offs from members of the public.

Police were brought in to ensure there was no breach of the peace.

The four dogs had been suspected of being of a banned breed and were seized so that they could be taken away for specialist examination to determine their true breed.

Acting Inspector Chris Sheard, of Huddersfield Police, said: “The operation was the result of intelligence gathering work by the police and council in Rawthorpe and Dalton that led us to believe that the dogs seized could be of a banned breed.

“The dogs have now been sent away for specialist examination so we are waiting on these results before we can consider any possible action against the dogs and their owners.

“What we want to stress is that the police and our partners take the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously and if we are concerned about possible banned breeds being kept in Kirklees, we are duty bound to take the appropriate action to find out if the dogs are”.

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

The raids were totally unconnected with an incident in Greenhead Park in which a dog was savaged to death by another dog.

Police have appealed for anyone who suspects that a banned breed of dog is being kept in their community to contact them via 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits four types of dog – the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Toser, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.

Most banned dogs in this country tend to be of the Pit Bull type.