DEATH row dog Teddy’s owner has vowed to fight on, despite fresh heartache after his beloved pet was confirmed to be a pitbull.

Following an independent assessment Teddy, who has never attacked anyone, was again found to have characteristics of the banned type.

But Teddy’s owner Thomas Hook, from Wroughton, remains undeterred in his battle to save his dog from the death sentence.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s a pitbull or a Chihuahua, he’s still my Teddy Bear and I’ll still do anything to get him home,” said Tom.

“I will continue on as normal. I felt a bit deflated after hearing he was pitbull but it makes no difference to me either way.

“I’ll backflip through hoops to get him home, nothing will stop me, I’ll do whatever I need to because I believe he shouldn’t be punished for the way he looks and I know he is not dangerous.”

The black and white dog, initially thought to be an American bulldog, was seized on February 5 under suspicion of being a banned breed. Following police examination, Teddy was reclassified as a pitbull.

Despite a glowing report from police kennels and no history of attacks or aggressive behaviour, magistrates decided that Teddy could pose a risk to Thomas’ four-year-old daughter, and handed Thomas a destruction order.

The dog sailed through a behavioural assessment but the courts must decide whether to uphold the order.

Now represented by dog law experts Thomas is appealing to save the life of the “soft and soppy” dog.

Thomas’s home must be made safe including the construction of a six foot fence in his garden, something he said he is determined to do with the support of the community.

“I’ll get it done, it’s a small thing to do to help get my boy back," he said.

"I will be asking people if they have spare pallets or pieces of wood to help build, I’ve had a lot of offers already which I am thankful for."

Teddy is being held in police kennels in an undisclosed location and Tom said the separation becomes more difficult each day.

“We were together all the time before so I know he will be missing me, but it makes me feel better to have something to focus on.

“I have a strong community of soldiers around me and Teddy and that keeps my spirits up while I continue to fight this thing.

“A type doesn’t dictate how a dog will act, Teddy shouldn’t be punished for something he hasn’t done, it should be deed not breed.

“He has never been vicious in his whole life, even in his kennels he has been happy and friendly. I hope that is enough.”

To donate to legal bills via PayPal use email mrhook1994@gmail.com

  • THE town has seen a number of notable dangerous dog prosecutions.

In June last year tan and white American bulldog mastiff cross Dexter was destroyed after carrying out a repeat attack on a neighbour’s dog in October 2014.

The seven-year-old dog was already under caution for an attack in July 2011 and under conditions imposed had to be muzzled at all times. This was not complied with and Dexter was able to attack the animal.

The judge responded to an appeal by owner Natalie Guyatt, from Toothill, that he did not believe that Dexter would be properly controlled if he were to grant a last minute reprieve.

He said: "We have no confidence that were we to impose a contingent destruction order that that would, after a time, be properly complied with or that the dog would be properly controlled so it would be complied with.”

Last month, pensioner Anthony Miller, 72, of Bowood Farm, Leigh, admitted being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

His nine-year-old German shepherd Grace bit a carer in the leg in November last year. She was spared destruction but must be muzzled in public places.