Doncaster granddad saved a pit bull terrier's life - now it sleeps on his bed

For some, the idea of sleeping with a pit bull terrier on their bed may be a terrifying thought.
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But not for Doncaster grandfather and dog trainer Michael Shepherd.

For Michael, his pet pit bull, Blitz, is particularly precious.

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Little more than a year ago, Blitz had a death sentencing hanging over him. He had been found as a stray as an 18-month-old and his owner was not permitted to keep him.

Michael Shepherd, pictured with Blitz and one of his other Dogs, Billy.Michael Shepherd, pictured with Blitz and one of his other Dogs, Billy.
Michael Shepherd, pictured with Blitz and one of his other Dogs, Billy.

He was a ‘pit bull type’ dog. Section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) outlaws four types of dog; the pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasilerio. The law makes it illegal to own, sell, breed, give away or abandon one of these types of dog.

For Blitz, this meant he was taken away and put in a dog pound at a secret location, for the police. He had never hurt anyone.

At that time, Michael’s job saw him picking up stray dogs – and Blitz was the first he was asked to bring in.

Michael, pictured walking Blitz and Billy.Michael, pictured walking Blitz and Billy.
Michael, pictured walking Blitz and Billy.

Michael immediately had a soft spot for Blitz.

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He said: "I was sent to pick him up from the kennel where he’d been taken after being found as a stray. He was just a big, goofy lad who bounded over to me, and put his paws up on my shoulders. He was instantly lovable.”

Over several years, Michael was part of the team that looked after Blitz. And over that time, he developed a bond with the animal.

Michael said: “He was to have been put to sleep. He got out, and was a stray, and because of what he looked like, a pit bull, he got seized. He hadn’t done anything, he was just a stray. It was decided his owner was not a fit person to have a pit bull in the house.”

Blitz the Pitt Bull, at home with owner Michael Shepherd's other dogsBlitz the Pitt Bull, at home with owner Michael Shepherd's other dogs
Blitz the Pitt Bull, at home with owner Michael Shepherd's other dogs

Blitz spent a long time in the pound. He was detained for 1,768 days – almost five years. Michael believes that is the longest any dog has been held by the police in the UK.

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During his time in captivity he was kept in a 8ft by 8ft kennel. Although he was cared for, he suffered injuries. He broke a tooth on his bars. He once swallowed a toy and had to have an operation to remove it. He fractured his legs by bouncing up and down on his back legs so often.

Although Blitz was due to be destroyed, his original owner had fought to save him. That was why he was in detention so long, rather than destroyed.

When the owner finally ran out of legal options, Michael decided to take over the fight. He cared for Blitz and had grown attached to him, and when he was told he could not take the dog, he quit his job to fight for him.

Blitz pictured with one of the other Dogs, Billy. Picture: NDFP-08-12-20-Shepherd 2-NMSYBlitz pictured with one of the other Dogs, Billy. Picture: NDFP-08-12-20-Shepherd 2-NMSY
Blitz pictured with one of the other Dogs, Billy. Picture: NDFP-08-12-20-Shepherd 2-NMSY

Michael said: "There are some dogs that are too dangerous. But there are others, like Blitz, who are just classed as dangerous because of what they look like, guilty until proven innocent.”

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“I refused to give up on him. I got a job at another kennel and applied for him.

"It was deemed to be a conflict of interest when I was working at the kennel."

Under the law, Blitz could not be given away. But eventually, a court backed a loophole that Michael was a suitable person to look after Blitz, because he had already been looking after him with the kennels. It meant the destruction order was overturned. It meant he was legally classed as the dog’s ‘keeper at the time’, although the previous owner is still technically the legal owner.

And so in December 2019, Blitz was allowed to leave the kennels and live with 48-year-old Michael and his wife Sharon, 54, in Warmsworth.

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Now aged seven-and-a-and-half, the dog has settled with the couple and their four other dogs, a Chinese crested, a chihuahua, and two staffies.

Blitz the pit bull in his secure field near HullBlitz the pit bull in his secure field near Hull
Blitz the pit bull in his secure field near Hull

He still has to wear a muzzle and must be kept on a lead anytime he goes out, except when the couple take him to a private, secure field for exercise, near Hull,

"We were his only hope,” said Michael. “I was in tears when we won.

"He gets on with our other dogs. We’re not daft enough to put anyone at risk.

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"The week he was delivered, they brought him in the van, they opened the back door, and he recognised me immediately. It was like we’d never been apart. Having to leave him there was horrendous. It was a dream come true to get him back.

"The last year has been good. He’s house trained, and it didn’t take long to train him, although he had a couple of toilet issues at first.

"He is a happy dog.

"He has to be muzzled and on a lead, but there is a private field we can take him to for a good run outside. It took us a while to find one that was secure, but we found one in Hull at an indoor warehouse.

"I’d like to take him to see his original owner one day, to show them that he is well looked after, and I’d like to show him to the solicitors who worked with us.

"He just got under my skin. He was my first collection.

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"I love him loads. There is not enough room on our bed to have all the dogs on there. The other four go back to their cages, but he stays on there.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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