A vicious pitbull was ordered to be put down in a landmark court case today after terrorising residents in Kenton.
Owner, Nugent Rowe, was first summoned to court in December 2007 when neighbours in Kingshill Drive told Police they were scared to leave their homes because of the illegal hound.
Rowe was given a final chance to look after Chrome in May, on the grounds he kept the dog out of harms way, but within weeks he was let loose again.
Chrome smashed his way through garden fences, ripped clothes off washing lines and barked relentlessly at neighbours - leaving them petrified.
He was taken by officers again and has remained in a kennel for the past eight months, but will now face being put down after magistrates ruled him to be too much of a menace.
Since the dangerous dogs act was brought in 18 years ago, breeding, buying or selling a pitbull has become illegal, and any found not to be registered were ordered automatically to be put down.
In 1997 the act was amended to say they should only be destroyed on the condition they were dangerous. In cases where no injuries have been sustained because of the dog, owners are asked to ensure the pet is insured, kept inside the house and muzzled.
It is believed that Rowe's failure to do this makes him the first person ever to be convicted of breaking the order - making the animal uninsurable.
He now has 28 days to appeal against the conviction, which also prevents him from owning a dog in the next two years.
