Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is facing calls from "an army" of worried dog lovers who are pleading for them not to put down a five-month-old puppy called Max.

Earlier this month, the stray pup was brought to a Co Down vets after being found in the Dundonald area before being looked after in a temporary home for a couple of days.

After being admitted to the pound, Max was collected by dog wardens who took measurements of the dog before it was returned with a foster home for Max being lined up for the following week.

Read more: Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew rescue man, child and dog cut off by high tide

Read more: Car 'completely destroyed' and another damaged in Belfast arson incident

A few days later dog wardens removed the dog from the pound in order to take further measurements of the animal and it was deemed that Max was a pitbull type dog and would be scheduled to be put down.

The news has sparked widespread outrage among dog lovers in Northern Ireland who have been calling for Max to be saved and given a chance to live his life with a family that loves him.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Zara Duncan, who was one of a number of households prepared to fostere Max said: "It is heartbreaking that a healthy young puppy is at risk of being put down by Lisburn and Castlereagh Council and it feels like they have not even tried to give him a chance to live with a family that will love and take care of him.

"This decision seems to have been made on the basis of measurements that could easily apply to any other cross-breed dog and at a time when Max is still too young for these measurements to have been taken properly as he is not nine months old yet and still just a puppy.

"Vets that have cared for Max and those at the rescue centre who have been with him can testify to his character and have called on the council not to go through with this decision.

"The sad thing is, this is not an isolated case and there are dogs across Northern Ireland just like Max who are losing their lives, while nothing is being done to tackle illegal puppy farms or encourage responsible dog ownership or licences.

"It is also shocking that the council appears to be applying breed specific legislation to a puppy who has not yet matured to his full size.

"There is an army of people out there now who are calling for Max to be saved and I just hope that their efforts will help to save this poor wee dog's life."

Lisburn and Castlereagh Council have said it has taken the decision to delay any action involving Max in the hopes that his original owners can come forward.

A Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council spokesperson said: "Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has a duty to follow legislation with regards to dog control. We collected a stray dog on 10 December 2024 which was taken to kennels.

"The dog was confirmed as a Pit Bull Terrier type dog by highly trained and qualified officers. This type of dog has been a banned breed since 1991 meaning we cannot re-home it or allow it to be rescued. The dog is not an XL Bully.

"In relation to any banned breed of dog without an exemption, we are obliged to humanely put it to sleep if no owner is identified within 5 days. This dog has been under the control of the council now for 8 days and is considered as abandoned.

"We have decided to delay any action in relation to this dog to allow for its owners to come forward. If you have lost a Pit Bull Terrier type dog and can provide proof of ownership, please contact us on 028 9244 7397."

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.