A DOG owner says she will fight to get her American bulldogs back after they were branded dangerous and seized by police.

Elaine Miller’s dogs Aggro and Bullseye were taken in a raid at her house in Lupin Way, Clacton.

Officers suspected they were a banned breed, pitbull terriers.

The dogs are being held at kennels while tests are carried out.

They could be destroyed if they are found to be on the illegal dog list.

Mrs Miller, 38, insists her pets are American bulldogs and are not outlawed.

She said: “The police said they were taking them under the Dangerous Dogs’ Act because they had reason to believe they were pitbull terriers.

“They came for Aggro, then realised Bullseye was her brother and took him, too.”

Mrs Miller says the 13-month-old dogs were as good as gold while they were being put in a van.

Husband Jamie gave her Aggro as an anniversary present last year.

The mum-of-five said: “I was sobbing my heart out. They’re part of my family.”

Police said they had received reports of dangerous dogs in the back garden.

Council dog wardens and police dog handlers were involved in the raid.

Mrs Miller said: “They don’t run loose. We’re here all the time.”

Mr Miller said he would not have pitbulls in the same house as their children. The youngest, Marnie, is 17 months old.

Mrs Miller said the dogs had been brought up with the children, and Aggro sleeps with the youngsters and provides therapy for seven-year-old Bayleigh, who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

She said: “They idolise the kids. They’ve never ever bitten anyone. I could understand if Aggro had been out and jumped up at someone or bitten them.”

Mrs Miller is determined to get the pets back and has hired a solicitor. She said: “We’ll fight this all the way.

“If the police try to tell me they are pitbulls, I’ll ask for a second opinion because they’re not.”

Insp Simon Mathias, of Clacton police, said: “We obtained a warrant to seize the dogs following local concerns about aggressive dogs roaming free in the rear garden of the property.

“The two dogs will be taken to secure kennels while specialist police officers carry out tests to establish the breed.

“If they are found to be illegal we will be taking further action.”