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A "loving and well-behaved dog " was put down 'for looking dangerous' prompting a charity to call on the Government to stop 'needless deaths of innocent pups.'

Crossbreed Duncan was handed into animal charity Blue Cross, which said he was in a sorry state, just "skin and bone" with his ribs clearly visible.

The charity found him to be a "gentle giant" and could have easily found him a new home - but never got the chance.

Duncan was deemed 'dangerous' by the local authority and had to be put to sleep.

The charity is now calling on the Government to scrap legislation which it says is "resulting in the needless deaths of thousands of innocent dogs like Duncan" ahead of an MPs' inquiry into the Dangerous Dogs Act this week.

(Image: Blue Cross)

(Image: Blue Cross)

A Blue Cross animal welfare officer said: "Duncan was in such a sorry state when he came into us. He was skin and bone - you could see his ribs.

"He also had a really bad infection and sores on his legs. He’d clearly never known a loving home and sadly we were unable to go on to help him have a happy ever after as we would with any other dog.

"He was loved by everyone who knew and treated him here at hospital. We found him to be a gentle giant and well behaved.

(Image: Blue Cross) (Image: Blue Cross)

"He knew his basic commands and was eager to learn more. We could have easily helped him to find a new loving home."

The officer added: "Sadly we see loving and well-behaved dogs like Duncan all too often who have not put a paw out of place and would make someone a fantastic pet but because of the current law our hands are tied and they are not given the chance to live.

"It is heart-breaking and extremely frustrating for all involved and often leaves a dark cloud over the hospital each time we have to euthanase an otherwise healthy pet because the law states their looks deem them dangerous."

The national pet charity has launched a petition calling on the parliamentary under-secretary at DEFRA, Lord Gardiner. to repeal Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 ahead of an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee inquiry tomorrow.

(Image: Blue Cross) (Image: Blue Cross)

Blue Cross believes that the current law, Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act, forces vets around the country to euthanase thousands of innocent dogs based on ‘looking dangerous’.

The pet charity is among animal welfare charities and organisations that will be giving evidence to the inquiry.

Duncan was treated by staff at Blue Cross Victoria hospital in February 2017.

They were legally bound to inform the local authority that the two-year-old was in their care, as with all stray dogs.

Duncan was then typed as Section 1 dog. Strays in this category cannot be re-homed by law and all re-homing charities are legally obliged to euthanase them.

Section 1 breeds are Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasiliero, Dogo Arengtino and pit bull terrier and any that is "bred for fighting or has the characteristics of a type bred for that purpose".

Blue Cross has launched a petition calling for Section 1 of the Dangerous Dog Act to be repealed here .