ANIMAL campaigners have today branded Merseyside's dangerous dog amnesty as a disgraceful seven-day cull.' This comes as time is ticking for dog owners to turn in their illegal pets after police imposed a week-long amnesty, set to come into force tomorrow.

The immediate crackdown will allow people to hand over their dogs without fear of arrest and prosecution.

But if they don't, they could face a £5,000 punishment or six months in prison.

Disgusted by the move, the Kennel Club have unveiled flaws in the amnesty which they blast as a seven-day dog cull.' Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "We are dismayed that Merseyside Constabulary has ignored our sensible advice which they asked for.

"We proposed a workable alternative - to re-open and register them on the Index of Exempted Dogs for three months to owner-led application.

"But they have gone ahead without listening and unfortunately their amnesty will leave the public unprotected while only responsible owners and their dogs will suffer."

The operation comes after the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson who was savaged by her uncle's illegal pit bull terrier on New Year's Day.

Since the tragedy, hundreds of dogs have been seized, organised fighting rings have been smashed, and now Merseyside's chief constable Bernard Hogan-Howe wants owners to have their dogs examined by a vet to see if they are deemed any of the UK's four banned breeds.

The amnesty will run between February 7 and February 13 and a police spokesperson said: "Owners of illegal dogs have the opportunity to co-operate with the police and hand them over for humane destruction without being prosecuted.

"It is hoped that this initiative will remove as many illegal dangerous dogs as possible before a period of enforcement activity begins."

But the Kennel Club say that the "so-called amnesty" is poorly thought out and will lead to the death of many well-loved family pets causing a great deal of distress to dog owners.

They fear that well-behaved pets will be unfairly destroyed, responsible owners will hide their dogs so they are not parted from them, and those who do own illegal dogs or involve them in fighting rings will fail to abide by the law by not coming forward.

Alternatively, by registering the dogs, the club feel that it would prevent potentially lethal dogs from being bred, address the problem of limited police resources and would be easier and more effective.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans the pit bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japenese Tosa and the Fila Braziliero.

And Mr Hogan-Howe said: "We are asking the public to come forward with information about where illegal dogs are posing a threat to others.

"We are also requesting a careful and considered review of the legislation to make sure it is both workable and achieves our aims of preventing dog attacks causing serious injuries or deaths in the future."

To arrange the collection of an illegal dog, call 0151 709 6010 - do not take dogs into police stations.

Anyone with information about illegal dogs can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.