Since 2014, Stella, a pit bull mix, had been confined to a cage and not allowed out for exercise or socialization after she had been seized because of her breed under orders from the Devon and Cornwall Police, despite RSPCA guidelines covering the welfare of seized dogs in kennels.
On Wednesday, Judge Graham Cottle reprieved the dog at Exeter crown court and allowed her to be permanently transferred to her new home. Stella would not be euthanized. The judge was satisfied that Stella's new owner, Caroline Pharaoh has provided the dog with a safe and enriching environment.
The dog had been living in a 3 ft. x 9 ft. foot cage in a private kennel in Devon and denied exercise after the staff was told she had been seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Stella had been considered potentially dangerous, although police declined comment why she was being held in this manner, other than because of her breed. The dog had only been out of her kennel twice for behavioral assessments since she was seized when her owner, Antony Hastie was arrested in 2014 on an unrelated incident. According to Stella's owner, there had been no incidences of aggressive behavior from the dog prior to the dog having been kept in a cage for the extended period of time. Hastie had been to court 11 times in the last two years fighting for his dog's right to live after she was ordered to be euthanized by the court.
Since then Hastie agreed to transfer ownership of his beloved dog to Carolyne Pharaoh, who has developed a very close bond with Stella and has taken precautions to ensure the dog's safety within a fenced in yard. On the Facebook page of Wheldon Law - Dog Law Specialists, came the announcement:
"Stella will remain living on a 27 acre farm in the beautiful Devon countryside with her adoring new keeper and family. Much respect to Stella's owner Anthony Hastie who made the very difficult decision to give Stella up to give her the best possible chance. Grateful thanks also to Laura Khanlarian and Helen Godfrey for being brave enough to speak up about the conditions in which Stella was being kept."
Many thanks to everyone for giving another dog a second chance at life. Live a good life Stella. Read the previous story here.
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