A PIT BULL dog was seized and a 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with drugs supply offences after police raided a house last night.

Officers executed a warrant in Newtown, St Helens. The man was held on suspicion of possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

Police say the pit bull type dog that had been given an exemption and placed on the Dangerous Dogs Index by the courts.

But officers add that the owner of the dog was in breach of the conditions of the exemption, as he had failed to provide third party insurance for the dog.

He had also ignored previous correspondence from DEFRA advising him that he was in breach of the conditions imposed by the courts.

The pit bull was seized and has been humanely destroyed, add police.

During a search of the property officers found a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs, along with drugs paraphernalia.

In relation to the drugs possession with intent to supply the 22-year-old man has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Superintendent Dave Fox, of Matrix Serious and Organised Crime Uniformed Services, said: "These dogs pose a danger to the public, as well as to the families where they are housed.

“Some of the people who keep these dogs, keep them as a status symbol and are not responsible dog owners.

“I’m sure that if you were to ask members of the public there aren’t many who would be happy living next door to someone who owns one of these dogs and does not take their responsibilities seriously.

"These dogs are fighting dogs, they are not designed to be family pets. "Where owners have made applications to the court and have been granted an exemption it is up to that dog owner to adhere to the conditions and prove responsible dog ownership.

"If those owners are not prepared to abide by the conditions imposed, we have no alternative but to take the action we have taken to keep our communities safe."