Sky is described as a friendly dog who likes cuddles (Picture: SWNS)

A dog kept in police custody for almost a year is to be put down despite a court ruling the animal could be rehomed with a family.

Sky is a ‘pitbull-type’ which is classified as an illegal breed under the Breed-Specific Legislation.

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Last year, the five-year-old was placed on the exemption list of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which allows her to live in the UK under certain guidelines, like wearing a muzzle in public.

And a family was even willing to adopt her.


But following a dispute between the police and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the court order declaring Sky as exempt expired on March 24.

Barbara McCann is fighting to adopt the dog (Picture: SWNS)

Fortunately, Sky was given a lifeline after her execution was postponed until April 5.



But the dog is now in a race against time as her potential new owners continue to wait on a certificate to make the adoption official.

So what is the hold up?

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When the kennels near Bristol refused to have Sky killed, Avon and Somerset Police took her on.

In August 2016, a judge at Bristol Crown Court ruled that Barbara McCann, one of the dog volunteers at the kennel, could become Sky’s official keeper.

But six months on, the dog remains in police kennels.

This is because Defra, which is responsible for the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 legislation, must issue a certificate of exemption to the current owner of the dog – in this case a man who has since moved to Australia.

Barbara’s daughter Eleanor fell in love with Sky (Picture: SWNS)

However, it has emerged Defra refused to issue a certificate following a long correspondence between the police and the court, according to campaigners.

Both Defra and police have refused to discuss why and now the animal faces being put down in a matter of days.

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Eleanor, 40, said: ‘Sky is a gorgeous dog with a fantastic nature. She has never done anything wrong.

‘Had she been any other dog we would have her at home but because of how she looks she is in a police kennel.

‘The Crown Court has granted us keepership but for some reason we’ve not been able to bring her home. Her life is in the balance. It is cruel, heartbreaking and unfair.’

The dog faces a death sentence in just a matter of days (Picture: SWNS)

In a bid to save Sky, DDA Watch, which campaigns against breed specific legislation, have raised thousands to fund the legal battle to help Sky.

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Specialists at Wheldon Law, acting on behalf of Eleanor and Barbara, will apply for a ‘contingent destruction order’ to save Sky’s life.

Tina Wagon, principal of Wheldon Law, said: ‘We’ve got an extension and we very much hope a further extension will be granted to allow our most recent application to be considered.’

To help Sky, visit her Facebook page or the DDA’s website.

A Defra spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘Dog attacks can have horrific consequences for victims and families.

‘The Dangerous Dogs Act ensures tough prison sentences for owners who do not control their dogs, and gives police and local authorities power to intervene early and require owners to attend dog training classes or muzzle their dog in public.

‘Prohibiting certain types of dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act is crucial to help deal with the heightened risk they pose. However, any dog can become dangerous if it is kept by irresponsible owners in the wrong environment, which is why the Act covers any type of dog that is dangerously out of control.’

Metro.co.uk has approached Avon and Somerset Police for comment.