Puppy from a shelter....?

I live in the UK and I know it's illegal to own Pit bull's and other 'dangerous' dogs.
Now, I got my puppy when she was a tiny Labrador-look-alike from Animals In Distress, a dog & cat rehoming center in Irlam.
I got her because she looked like a dog my family used to own.
Now she's nearly 10 months old. And everybody I walk past on the street are pointing and staring at my dog. Once she was in the park and a group of boys started chanting ''Pit bull terrier, Pit bull terrier'' as I walked past.
She is the most loving dog.... Although she does get protective when strange men come in the house or when someone comes in the garden. But once she's met them she just wants to lick them and be stroked.
I asked how she wound up in the shelter and here's her story :
A boy had got her off his friend and kept her in his room for three weeks (which led to her having terrible anxiety problems). The boys mother found the dog and took her to the shelter.
(More to come on Edit).

I don't know wether the boy's intent was to have her as a fighting dog....And I wish I knew what breed her parents are.
Here's her picture:
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z310/...

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z310/...

If she is a Pit bull, what should I do?

She looks like a pit mix. Since you got her from a shelter which adopted her out as a lab, at least you have some "proof" she isn't a pit. I would just live my life, keeping the dog away from prying eyes. And if someone shows up to complain, show them all the paperwork from the shelter that says lab.

I would think if you got it from a shelter you are o.k. They are the ones who said GSD mix. Stick with that, and good luck. As for the people who make comments say actually he is a mix, and the vet and shelter both say he is NOT Pit.

Contact the RSPCA for advice - if the dog is 'pit bull TYPE' she should be neutered and muzzled in public I think....

Lots of info here at DEFRA http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/...

good luck

"The 1991 Act was amended by the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997. The 1997 Act removed the mandatory destruction order provisions of the 1991 Act by giving the courts discretion on sentencing, and re-opened the Index of Exempted Dogs for those prohibited dogs which the courts consider would not pose a risk to the public. Only courts can direct that a dog can be placed on the list of exempted dogs."

Aww... what a cutie. She does look like she might have some pit mix in her.

When you got her from the shelter, was she "advertised/labelled" as a Lab mix? If you've got a contract from when you got her, does it say anything in terms of a breed description? Has your vet commented on her breed or looks at all?

You've got to be really careful here... if she is found to be a pit, she could be seized and euthanized. You might want to consider adopting her out of the country, to a family that is legally allowed to keep her.

I suggest that you contact the shelter that you got her from, bring her in to them to take a look and to give you advice. They will most likely do their best to help her, either find a way for you to keep her within the law, or to find her another home where her breed/mix is not banned.

I am sorry for the position you and she are in.... it really isn't fair. Good luck to you.