Woods, 41, pleaded guilty Monday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Yarmouth to one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
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| It took close to 1,000 stitches to close the rips on her face and throat |
He will be on probation for a year while he is not in jail. He also cannot own or possess a dog while he is on probation and must pay a $100 victim fine surcharge.
His aggressive pit bull terrier, named Zeke, mauled Noella McIntosh last March in Yarmouth before a police bullet dropped the relentless animal. Another pit bull named Zena also attacked but was apparently less aggressive.
The March 26, 2011, attack left McIntosh fighting for her life.
The 45-year-old victim required more than 900 stitches to close wounds on her face, neck and upper body, Crown attorney Josie McKinney told the court.
McIntosh also suffered facial disfigurement, significant tissue loss, deep injuries to her left leg and multiple puncture wounds, said McKinney.
The victim, who required a feeding tube after the attack, also needed plastic surgery.
Woods answered “yes” when Justice Kevin Coady asked if he accepted the facts of the case as presented.
McKinney said the savage attack began shortly after McIntosh went to Woods’s door in search of beer.
UPDATED 5:23 a.m. Tuesday
The RCMP responded to a 911 call regarding the attack at about 4:30 p.m.
“RCMP witnessed a pit bull dog attacking the victim,” said McKinney.
Police officers fought with the dog and attempted to get it away from the blood-soaked victim.
The dog showed no signs of relenting and cops dragged it a few metres away from the woman. An officer was then able to place his pistol against the animal’s head and squeeze the trigger.
Paramedics wrapped up the victim for a quick run to Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
In a statement later obtained from McIntosh, she told police she had been drinking that day and eventually ran out of beer.
“She was going to Gary Woods’s place to get (more) beer,” said McKinney.
Woods had permitted McIntosh to enter his residence for beer in the past. She would simply knock and walk in.
“When she opened the door to call out for Gary, the two pit bulls immediately attacked her,” said McKinney.
“Their names were Zeke and Zena. Both dogs had previously shown aggression.”
On the day of the attack, Woods was not at home but had left the dogs in the dwelling. A sign on a door said Knock Before Coming In.
McIntosh was not in court Monday, but during her evidence last October at a preliminary hearing, she said Woods often sold beer and had a bar in his south Main Street residence.
The day of the attack, McIntosh had no money but went to put some beer on her tab.
“If I ran out of money, I was allowed to charge it,” McIntosh told the preliminary inquiry, referring to the $4 beers Woods was selling.
Although Woods did not intend for the dogs to attack, it was reasonable for him to expect McIntosh and others to come to his home when he was not there, McKinney said Monday.
Defence lawyer Matt Fraser said his client is remorseful.
“He’s a changed man.”
The surviving dog was being held in an undisclosed location and court was not told where.
“I think Mr. Woods does know where the animal is,” said McKinney.
The Crown wanted it forfeited to the attorney general.
“What’s the attorney general going to do with it?” asked Coady.
The dog was eventually ordered to be turned over to Woods’s estranged wife, Wendy, who testified Monday she will take the animal in to live with her and her four chihuahuas.
After court, Woods’s lawyer said the attack was tragic.
“My client demonstrated remorse and accepted full responsibility for the events,” said Fraser.
“He wishes it had never happened.”
(Herald News - May 28, 2012)
