The court heard the dogs had escaped from the home of Mr Ashcroft’s neighbour Wayne Moffat, of Ireleth Road, Askam, who owned the pets.
Moffat, 50, went on trial yesterday charged with two counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.
Mr Ashcroft’s ordeal began on Ireleth Court Road, Askam, at 10am on August 20.
In the first attack, Mr Ashcroft, 67, said the dogs were snapping at his heels and tugging at his slippers as he tried to ride to the post office. He said he waved his right arm and leg, to scare the dogs away, but they kept coming at him. The attack lasted for about 20 seconds.
He managed to cross the road and left the dogs behind.
After visiting the post office, Mr Ashcroft decided to take the long way home, to avoid being trapped in the ginnel with the dogs once more.
Speaking via videolink, Mr Ashcroft said: “I didn’t want them snapping at my heels or legs or biting my trousers.”
When he got half way between the end of Ireleth Court Road and his home, he noticed the dogs in the street. Mr Ashcroft got off his scooter to arm himself with a walking stick, in case he needed to defend himself. They ran at him again, barking and snarling.
After visiting the post office, Mr Ashcroft decided to take the long way home, to avoid being trapped in the ginnel with the dogs once more.
Speaking via videolink, Mr Ashcroft said: “I didn’t want them snapping at my heels or legs or biting my trousers.”
When he got half way between the end of Ireleth Court Road and his home, he noticed the dogs in the street. Mr Ashcroft got off his scooter to arm himself with a walking stick, in case he needed to defend himself. They ran at him again, barking and snarling.
He said: “They were snapping at my heels and tugging on my trousers and slippers. I couldn’t run away and thought I would have to sit there and take whatever the dogs were going to do to me. I was about 150 yards from home.”
A neighbour came to the rescue, ushering him into his own home. Steven Atkinson, also of Ireleth Court Road, told Mr Ashcroft to park his scooter on his drive and go into the house.
Mr Ashcroft said: “When the dogs kept trying repeatedly to get at my feet and legs, he took my stick and was trying to keep the dogs away from me. They didn’t do anything to Mr Atkinson, they just seemed intent on getting me. I had concerns that if they ever came at me and I fell on the ground, I wouldn’t be able to get up again.”
A neighbour came to the rescue, ushering him into his own home. Steven Atkinson, also of Ireleth Court Road, told Mr Ashcroft to park his scooter on his drive and go into the house.
Mr Ashcroft said: “When the dogs kept trying repeatedly to get at my feet and legs, he took my stick and was trying to keep the dogs away from me. They didn’t do anything to Mr Atkinson, they just seemed intent on getting me. I had concerns that if they ever came at me and I fell on the ground, I wouldn’t be able to get up again.”
Police were called to the incident, and the dogs ushered back into Mr Moffat’s garden. The dogs were described as one large black bulldog and one small brindle bulldog female.
In his defence, Moffat said he was sure his gates were shut and maintained someone must have opened them to let the dogs out. He also said the dogs were family pets and got on well with people.
He said: “I have never had a problem with dogs at all. I have had dogs all my life and bulldogs for the past 12 years. I hadn’t had any trouble until April this year. That’s when the problems started.
“It may have something to do with the way I look, but that is a racist way of looking at things. I believe my dogs were intentionally let out of my garden to cause an incident.”
Moffat was found guilty by magistrates.
He was ordered to pay a fine of £50 per charge, £100 compensation to Mr Ashcroft, a £15 victim surcharge and £500 court costs. He was also issued with an order declaring Moffat’s remaining dog, Troy, must be securely contained at Moffat’s house and at all other times, must be kept muzzled and on a lead. [He had gotten rid of the other dog by the time he had to go to court.]
(North West Evening Mail News - Dec 8, 2011)
