A homeless ex-soldier is still waiting to hear if he can get his beloved dogs back, after police extended his bail while a decision is made about what action to take.

Kirk Young, 47, was arrested on March 4 after an incident where his dogs allegedly attacked and seriously injured two smaller dogs being walked by Kingston riverside.

Police issued an appeal for anybody affected by the pack of dogs to come forward, and are currently investigating a similar incident by Kingston riverside and one in Terrace Gardens, Richmond, in February.

He was rebailed this week until April 23, but until then no decision can be made about his or his dogs’ future.

Police said the dogs were currently in independent kennels and being well looked after.

However, a friend of Mr Young, who met him at the Vineyard Church Project, Richmond, has appealed for them to be returned to their owner.

He said: “Those dogs have had a very tough life, on the streets, in the cold. Kirk is totally distraught about losing them but I’m worried about the poor dogs, being taken away from their family.

“Even if he could get two of his dogs back, it would be nice. He’s been in the Army, he’s had a hard life. He just needs a bit of help. I tried to read him bits about the Dangerous Dogs Act and I couldn’t understand it myself to be honest.

“If somebody took my dog away, I’d be absolutely distraught and it’s like Auswitch for them now because they are away from all their friends and family. They don’t know what’s happening to them, you can’t explain it to them.”