Mansfield man let his German Shepherds escape and kill a neighbour's cat

Andrew Turner was already obliged to keep the animals leashed and muzzled in public after a voluntary control order was imposed in May, said prosecutor Alexander Staddon.

But the dogs, named "Trouble" and "Minnie," got free when he forgot to lock his gate and a witness saw them escape and attack the cat on the morning of October 21.

He told police officers he didn’t keep the dogs muzzled when they were on leads as he didn’t see the point.

The court heard he has 26 previous convictions for 62 offences, including dangerous dog offences from 2016 and 2020. He is currently on a suspended sentence order.

Neil Taylor, mitigating, said Turner, aged 58, deserved credit for his guilty plea and has been “quite distraught” about the incident.

Turner usually secures them to his mobility scooter, he said.

The 58-year-old, of Gunthorpe Court, Mansfield, admitted being the owner of dogs that were out of control when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday.

“To be honest, leaving the gate open is a very weak excuse,” the presiding magistrate told him. “This offence is aggravated by your previous convictions.

“I think you're extremely lucky a child wasn't hurt.”

They extended his suspended sentence by six months and imposed a contingent destruction order which stipulates the dogs must always wear a muzzle and be kept on fixed leads when in public.

He was fined £200 with a £80 surcharge and £85 costs.