Police officers have seized a dog in Watford over fears it could be an unregistered XL Bully.

Hertfordshire Police conducted a warrant at an address in the Woodside area yesterday, April 29, following reports from members of the public.

The relevant documents for the dog were not available at the time and it was confiscated so it could be examined by specialist officers.

As of January 31, it became illegal to own an XL Bully without a certificate of exemption, or sell, breed or give away a member of the restricted breed.

Update: a police spokesperson confirmed it was an unregistered XL Bully and the case will be sent to a civil court.

Since the law came into effect, six people across Hertfordshire have been ordered by courts to obtain an exemption for their dog or it will be destroyed.

They include Chloe Cuthbert, of Sisken Close in Bushey, who admitted breaching The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 at St Albans Magistrates' Court on April 5.

She was told to register her one-year-old XL Bully named Peaky within two months, or it could be put down, and also had to pay £400 of compensation.

Watford Borough Council also admitted abandoned XL Bully dogs may have to be put down, as legal constraints now prevent them being rehomed.