A CRACKDOWN on dangerous dogs is under way in East Lancashire after a rise in the number of menacing breeds.

A voluntary group calling itself Responsible and Fun Dogs (RaF) has set up a project with to try and reduce the numbers of so-called status dogs in Rossendale.

And the project is set to be rolled out into Hyndburn after animal rescue centre staff found the borough to be a ‘hot spot’ for dangerous dogs.

The group was set up by three workers at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary who noticed a high number of the most popular status breed, pit bull terriers, coming into the centre to be treated, and on the Valley’s streets.

Jen Park, from Helmshore, one of the founders of the group, said: “The number of young people owning and breeding bull breed-type dogs, which are used as a macho status, is increasing from what we have seen in the centre and on the streets.

“Communities feel intim-idated by people who let their dogs roam off the lead, encouraging them to fight and creating a public nuisance.

“We don’t want to have any incidents of people being savaged on our streets.”

The group runs a free class every Friday night at Stubbylee Park in Bacup that aims to teach young people responsible dog ownership, encourage neutering of status dogs, and educate dog owners.

During the class, which runs from 7pm to 9pm, there are three activities, an assault course, scooter pulling and sledge pulling competitions. Neil Martin, manager of the Bleakholt sanctuary, in Ramsbottom, said: “The problem we had in the ’90s with fashion dogs was the rottweiler. Now we have status dogs which are usually pitt bull or mastiffs.

“We are being offered far more status dogs at Bleakholt than we ever have and if were to accept all of them, I would say that 50 per cent of the dogs we housed would be pit bull, or a similar breed. I think the job the RaF is doing is fantastic and I hope it inspires other professionals to do the same because they are only scratching the surface.

“The dog owners who are semi-responsible will attend and benefit from the RaF but there will always be a proportion of owners who buy the dog for the wrong reasons, and unfortunately, they will never change.”

A spokesperson from Rossendale Council, which supported the initiative, confirmed that RaF dogs received a grant from Bacup Neighbourhood Forum to purchase equipment and the council gave the group the go-ahead to hold their meeting in Stubbylee Park.

Jen added: “The aim of the project is to reduce the number of youths and these status dogs on our streets.

“The activities require the dog to be disciplined and aims to encourage responsible dog ownership.

“We also provide a microchipping service and teach the owners about nutrition and general care for their dogs.

“From the research we have done, we have noticed that Hyndburn is a particular ‘hot spot’ for these fighting dogs, and we hope that if we can get enough funding, we will start holding sessions there too.”