§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
For what purpose the police may continue to hold in custody a dog which has not been identified as being a Pit Bull Terrier; and
Under what authority the police may continue to hold dogs which have been identified by a court as not being a dog known as a Pit Bull Terrier; and what steps the owners of such dogs can take to recover possession of their dogs.
§ Baroness Blatch:Powers for the police to seize and detain dogs are contained in Section 5 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; the decision to exercise these powers in any given case is a matter for the chief officer of the police force concerned.
It is open to owners seeking the return of a dog which has been seized (as with any other property seized by the police) to apply to a magistrates' court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.