Pair 'being victimised'

Apr 18 2008 By Will Oliphant

A FAMILY accused of keeping pit bull terriers in their Northfield home claimed evidence was planted in their house during a raid.

Anthony Mullen, 50, and his partner Susan Hancock, 51, both deny charges of keeping the dangerous pit bull terrier type dogs at their home in Taragon Gardens as well as breaching bans on keeping animals.

The pair both said that the dogs were owned by their son Patrick Mullen, 25, who refused to give evidence at the trial and who denied charges of keeping the two terriers.

He also denies a charge of aiding and abetting his parents.

The court has been told that three Staffordshire bull terriers, three puppies, superglue and a book on dog first aid were found at their home during a raid by the RSPCA and police in April last year.

Anthony Mullen told the court that he had never seen a bottle containing steroids that was found at his house and claimed officers had planted the evidence. He also claimed they had used underhand tactics by raiding his house just before his partner's ban was due to expire.

"You come to my house a month before the ban was up. If that's not victimisation I don't know what is," he said. "That bottle, I've never seen before in my life."

Mullen and his Hancock both denied breeding pit bull terrier-type dogs and being involved in dog fighting.

The case was adjourned until next month.