THE ONGOING case of ‘Rickson’, the Bull Terrier sentenced to death under the Dangerous Dogs Act for biting a neighbour’s child after being provoked, took another turn last week when it was accepted by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, writes Nick Mays.

Rickson’s owner Elizabeth Holland, accompanied by Juliette Glass and Janet Payne of the Fury Defence Fund, was interviewed by an officer from the CCRC – a body set up by the Government to investigate errors and problems with criminal cases which have come to court. The Commission has decided that there are aspects of the case and its handling by the prosecuting authorities that bear further investigation and will be conducting an inquiry accordingly. This is the first DDA case accepted by the CCRC.

Rickson is currently being held at Liverpool City Council’s kennels pending the resolution of the case. The FDF advised both the kennels and the Chief Constable of Liverpool Police of the CCRC’s investigations, in order that the destruction order against Rickson will not be carried out.

* A full report of Rickson’s ongoing battle for justice will appear in next week’s OUR DOGS.