by Jamie Stephens

Dozens of protesters waved placards to campaign after a man's family pet was seized by police.

Around 30 campaigners staged a peaceful protest outside Margate's police station on Saturday after an owner's dog was confiscated by police in Cliftonville.

Hundreds more have joined an online petition - demanding the release of Rocky.

He was taken by police, seized and driven off in the back of a van three weeks ago in North Downs Road, when officers suspected him of being a pitbull .

Ricky has since been told unless he can prove his dog is not an outlawed breed, it could be put down.

"The problem is that that is almost impossible. With DNA markers, I would only be able to prove it's a terrier - which it is as it's a Bulldog / Staff cross. But then so where does that leave me?" explained the 40-year old.

"It's left me in an impossible position and my dog potentially sentenced to death through no fault of his own.

"It's not a dangerous dog. If I thought there was any risk whatsoever I wouldn't have it around a six-month old baby".

Ricky is now campaigning to change the law and raise awareness of what he sees as the inadequacy of the current system

The Dangerous Dogs Act bans the ownership, breeding and sale of certain types of dog used for fighting purposes - including, among others, pitbull terriers. But whether a dog is banned or not depends on its "type", not just its breed.

Back in 1992, a judge ruled that a dog was a pit bull if it had the "substantial characteristics" of a pit bull, setting a precedent and bringing thousands of crossbreeds into the definition of a "dangerous dog".

The maximum penalty for owning a banned dog type is six months' imprisonment or a £5,000 fine.

Head of Kent Police Dog Section, Inspector Preston Chalk, said: "The officer who seized the dog is a trained and accredited dog legislation officer who has additional accreditation in identifying and dealing with dangerous dogs and those that are suspected of being a prohibited breed.

"This matter is currently under investigation and proceedings may follow and for this reason I cannot comment further."

Ricky now intends to leaflet across the area and join forces with other campaign groups across Europe to have EU laws changed.