A dog owner has launched a legal challenge against police following the seizure of her dog over concerns for its welfare.

Jabba, a four-year-old Kangal and ancient livestock guardian dog breed from Turkey, was seized from his home following an altercation with another dog earlier this year.

A petition, which has since been removed, had been launched calling for Jabba to be brought home due to the owner's concerns for his welfare.

Read more: Teesside’s best and worst GP surgeries according to patients – revealed

Sam Scully, owner of the dog and author of the petition, argues that Jabba, must not “remain in secure kennels, alone and away from his family.”

The Northern Echo:

She said: “His family misses him immensely and worry about his welfare while he remains in kennels for this prolonged length of time.”

According to Ms Scully, Jabba enjoyed “four hours of walking each day in the surrounding countryside” but he has now been restricted to “30 minutes of exercise and spends most of his time in solitary confinement.”

There is no time limit for police when dealing with suspected aggravated offences under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and no ‘bail’ applications can be made on behalf of a dog either.

The Northern Echo: Jabba and his brother YodaJabba and his brother Yoda

The dog was seized under section 5 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 following an incident with another dog which saw one of the owners intervene and receive a “very serious leg injury” that required surgery.

Ms Scully, who is based in York, added: “We have pleaded with North Yorkshire Police to allow Jabba to come home while they investigate this complaint.

“A long with any restrictions they deem necessary to let this happen, such as a muzzle and lead."

The Northern Echo: Jabba and his brother YodaJabba and his brother Yoda

Read more: Stockton International Riverside Festival kicks off with excitement and anticipation

However, North Yorkshire Police highlighted that the victim of the attack suffered very serious leg injuries following the incident.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “The 53-year-old woman who was arrested was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

“The victim, a man in his 50s, sustained a very serious leg injury which required emergency surgery.

“The dog involved was seized under Section 5 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. All dogs seized in boarding kennels under this law are cared for by trained personnel and are walked every day.”

The Northern Echo: Jabba and his brother YodaJabba and his brother Yoda

To get more stories from North Yorkshire direct to your email basket go here

Police later confirmed that Ms Scully had been charged with being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added: "I can now confirm that a 53-year-old woman has been charged with being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury."

Read next: 

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here