Kirkby man's Staffordshire bull terrier attacked young mum in ‘harrowing’ and ‘traumatic’ ordeal
A Kirkby man's Staffordshire bull terrier attacked a young mum when she tried to protect her own dog in a “harrowing” and "traumatic" incident, a court has heard.
Leigh Burton ran out of his address when he heard the woman scream for help as two-year-old Loki bit her multiple times, on September 16, said Alex Staddon, prosecuting.
CCTV from a nearby house showed Loki make a beeline for the dog and leap up at the woman, who also had her five-month old baby in a pushchair, as she cradled her own dog.
Burton called an ambulance and she was taken to hospital where “multiple puncture wounds” on her arms were cleaned and stitched.
In a statement she said she is afraid of dogs, including her own, and her injuries have hampered her ability to look after her child.
Because she lives on the same street she is concerned about her safety, the court heard.
Stephen Langton, mitigating, said Burton, of previous good character, is a very experienced dog owner and Loki had never given him or his partner any concerns before.
“A pre-sentence report details how remorseful he is about the trauma and injury inflicted on the victim,” he said.
“It was an awful incident for the victim. Mr Burton and his partner are devastated about it.”
An expert has recommended measures, including training, to manage Loki, Mr Langton added, and Burton has put extra safety precautions in place.
Burton, aged 52, of Central Avenue, KIrkby, admitted being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control causing injury when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on November 4.
“It was very harrowing to watch the footage, never mind being involved,” the presiding magistrate told him on Thursday. “Having a Staffie hanging on your arm isn’t pleasant because they have a very sharp bite.
"Luckily for you the police didn’t get their act together and provide us with a figure for the cost of kennelling Loki.”
Burton was fined £553, with a £221 surcharge , £85 costs, and £1,500 compensation.
A contingent destruction order was made which means the dog must be muzzled and kept on a leash when in public and he must be neutered. He will be put down if there is another incident.