I feared for my life as nine cops with taser came to seize Yorkshire terrier
A SHOCKED mum says she feared for her life as nine police officers, some armed, besieged her home to seize her family’s Yorkshire terrier called Bobby. Hayley Scanlan, 28, had refused to hand over the tiny pooch when the former owner wanted him back. At first, unarmed officers arrived with a warrant to seize the […]
A SHOCKED mum says she feared for her life as nine police officers, some armed, besieged her home to seize her family’s Yorkshire terrier called Bobby.
Hayley Scanlan, 28, had refused to hand over the tiny pooch when the former owner wanted him back.
At first, unarmed officers arrived with a warrant to seize the dog.
When Hayley refused to open the door, she says back-up, including two armed officers, arrived and sealed off the cul-de-sac.
She refused to give up seven-year-old Bobby, who is just 12 inches long, for almost an hour — before giving in when an officer grabbed a breach tool and was ready to batter down the front door.
Mum-of-two Hayley, who works for a law firm, said: They were banging on the door so hard I thought someone was trying to break in.
“I refused to give up Bobby until I spoke to a solicitor or my aunt who is a magistrate so I understood my rights.
“But they told me I had ten minutes before they’d remove him by force.
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“I feared for my life. It was terrifying. I didn’t want to let them take my dog away but when I saw the armed police and one officer grab the clamp to bash the door in, I knew I had no choice.”
Husband Iian, 32, a retail operations manager, looked after seven-month-old daughter Dolcie and comforted son Hugo, six, who was in tears cuddling Bobby upstairs.
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Their son has since been prescribed medication to help him sleep and referred for counselling.
Hayley’s mum, Kim Williams, 57, who acted as a go-between in the stand-off, said: “We’ve never been in trouble with the police, yet they treated us like we’re the Krays.”
Bobby was returned to his former owner after the warrant was enforced in Huntingdon, Cambs.
Hayley insists he was willingly given to her when they lived in Luton last May by an elderly neighbour who was recovering from a heart attack.
Hayley added: “She agreed I should keep Bobby but now she’s decided she wants him back and told the police he’s stolen.
“I don’t believe Bobby is safe because sadly she can’t look after him properly.
“I am now looking to sue Bedfordshire Police.”
Her petition for Bobby to be returned has at least 300 signatures.
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Det Insp Melissa Cunningham pointed out the dog was still microchipped to an owner in Luton who has reported the pet stolen.
She added: “In terms of resources, two officers who were nearby were called to the scene to assist with a potential forced entry after police were refused entry to the property.”
