TESTS were due to be carried out on a dog seized from Accrington and suspected of being a banned breed.

Officers from the Central and Springhill areas of town executed a warrant at a house close to the Globe Centre, in St James Square.

A spokesman said: "The dog will be examined to see if it is a banned breed."

When carrying out the examination, a dog legislation officer (DLO) will test the dog on 13 characteristics, including its physical appearance, height and weight, coat, eyes, tail, and skeletal structure.

If it is found not to be of a banned breed, it will be handed back to its owner.

If the expert does deem it to be illegal, the owner can go to court and apply for a license to keep it under certain conditions.

These would include the dog being tattooed for identification and neutered, muzzled and kept on a lead in public at all times, chipped, and covered by insurance.