Bull terrier must be destroyed for attacks, while owner gets ban from keeping dogs
A COURT has ordered that a bull terrier be destroyed and his owner be banned from keeping a dog for three years after the pet attacked three other animals.
Amy Stevenson, 30, pleaded guilty to three charges of having a dog dangerously out of control after a series of attacks in Hilton.
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Amy Stevenson
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Stevenson's Staffordshire bull terrier, Neo, escaped from her house on three occasions, running to a nearby field and injuring the other dogs.
Magistrate Bernard Peters, sitting with Patricia Hatfield and John Kennard, ordered that the dog be put down.
He said: "There is a real issue with this dog, particularly when it becomes free.
"It becomes free because of your neglect. You have admitted that you were aware that the dog had escaped but how did it happen? These are the questions we have been unsatisfied by.
"The police have also given you advice over exercising a level of restraint, all of which appear to have been unheeded."
The court was told how Stevenson, of Soar Close, Hilton, had owned Neo for about 18 months.
But in December last year the terrier attacked a dog called Jack, on playing fields behind Back Lane in the village. The court heard how Neo bit the animal on the head, causing him to let out what his owner described as a "heartbreaking cry".
Jack was left with puncture wounds and underwent treatment to reconstruct his ear, with vets bills costing £358.
In March, on the same playing fields, Neo attacked a King Charles spaniel being walked by a 15-year-old and 10-year-old girl.
Neo came running towards the group and attacked the dog, biting it on the neck and shaking it.
Last month, Neo's victim was a West Highland terrier which was left with bite marks, puncture wounds and swelling.
Fernando Rodrigues, prosecuting, said Miss Stevenson was spoken to by police following the first incident and given advice on how to control her animal before being interviewed again after the second attack.
"She said after the first incident that the gate was padlocked and two signs saying "beware of the dog" were put up outside," he said.
"She said she had discussed getting the dog neutered but said she was not sure that would solve the problem.
"Miss Stevenson also discussed whether a muzzle could be used, but said that due to the shape of Neo's head, a conventional muzzle would not fit."
John Skinner, in mitigation, said Stevenson had owned dogs and been around animals all her life.
He said: "She quite clearly understands the bond between an animal and its owner and fully accepts the upset that the behaviour of her dog has caused.
"Clearly there is an issue with the dog that he wants to escape from where he is kept.
"There is a control issue but the dog is not a dog that is out of control. His problem can be dealt with.
"Miss Stevenson has accepted that given she has a child and she has another dog, there are potential difficulties in the future with her being able to keep this dog within the security of her home with 100 per cent certainty.
"She is prepared to give up ownership of this dog and allow it to be rehoused."
Stevenson was also sentenced to a 12-month community order and was ordered to complete 80 hours' unpaid work and to pay £358.20 in compensation to one of the dog owners, and £85 in costs.
23 Comments
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by m, Derby
Wednesday, August 04 2010, 8:55AM
“You only have to read the pet advets in the telegraph.
Big Chunky Staffy pups are common in the adverts.
why would you want one big and chunky for any reason other than being a status dog and to threten people? i know plenty of people who have had staffys for years (not just since they have become the must have for every chav going) and you dont buy a dog because its big and chunky but they are now being bread for this now as a burberry cap replacement”
by Stephen, Derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 11:01PM
“...however much i trust milo i still would never leave him alone with young children because im a responsible dog owner..
Good call Sarah. You are clearly a responsible dog owner and you also recognise that however much you trust him, it can't ever be 100%. He might attack them and you won't risk that. It's a pity not every dog owner is like you.”
by sarah, derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 9:40PM
“hold on a minute i think you are all missing the point here......a dog whatever the breed has attacked another dog...yes i agree this dog should be destroyed, I am a staffordshire bull terrier owner and my dog is 12 yrs old. he has never attacked another dog or animal at alll, milo lives with 2 cats and from them being new born they have slept in the same bed!!!! milo also plays with my neighbours dog which is also a staff!!! he has also been attacked by an alsation that was roaming...and had to have stiches in his face. NOW TELL ME ALL BULL TERRIERS ARE THE SAME!!!!! dogs of all breeds are capable of attacking, if you bring children up badly some rebel same with animals,,, however much i trust milo i still would never leave him alone with young children because im a responsible dog owner,,if the dog in question had of been a poodle would it of been because of that breed?????.....oh i forgot too mention i also have 2 children”
by sarah, derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 9:37PM
“hold on a minute i think you are all missing the point here......a dog whatever the breed has attacked another dog...yes i agree this dog should be destroyed, I am a staffordshire bull terrier owner and my dog is 12 yrs old. he has never attacked another dog or animal at alll, milo lives with 2 cats and from them being new born they have slept in the same bed!!!! milo also plays with my neighbours dog which is also a staff!!! he has also been attacked by an alsation that was roaming...and had to have stiches in his face. NOW TELL ME ALL BULL TERRIERS ARE THE SAME!!!!! dogs of all breeds are capable of attacking, if you bring children up badly some rebel same with animals,,, however much i trust milo i still would never leave him alone with young children because im a responsible dog owner,,if the dog in question had of been a poodle would it of been because of that breed?????.....oh i forgot too mention i also have 2 children”
by karen, alfreton
Monday, August 02 2010, 7:16PM
“Why does it have to come to this for justice to be done. My dog a king charles cavalier who was only 8 months old was brutaly attacked in his own garden by this bred. My dog had to be put to sleep as he had sustained serious injury after such a vicious attack. This was NOT the frst time this dog as attacked another dog. The police have done nothing. The owner as done nothing to make his garden more secure. The owner even allows this dog into the house where as has a young child. People need to be made more responsible for having such a notoriously vicious breed. Come on folks wake up smell the coffee and dont allow this breed as part of your family.”
by Stephen, Derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 6:53PM
“But this article isn't about a human attacking someone or something is it Emma?”
by Emma, Mickleover
Monday, August 02 2010, 5:12PM
“As do All Humans Stephen..”
by Stephen, Derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 4:25PM
“Barbara is quite right.
How many times do we hear of dogs who are supposedly 'good with other dogs' suddenly attack one?
Nothing to do with children at all.
Children (or 'so called ones' ) committing driving and other offences are equally irrelevant to this discussion.
All dogs have the potential to be dangerous to some degree.”
by Barbara Woodhouse, Derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 2:28PM
“Just one 'minor' point. The dog in question attacked other dogs, not children. Debating the merits, or otherwise, of children and where Dragon was bred, weaned and trained is largely irrelevant!”
by robin, derby
Monday, August 02 2010, 2:22PM
“New Dragon - As many reports as we get of children committing horrible crimes, there are ten times as many adults who do the same thing. Adults are much more of a problems than kids have ever been, we just don't like to admit it.”