Dog which attacked pensioner could be destroyed

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog which attacked a pensioner and her Jack Russell could be destroyed and it’s owner banned from keeping dogs, a court has heard

Herbert Hatton (61) of Wype Road, Whittlesey, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today (August 22) where he pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog and allowing it to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

Jackie Carradice, prosecuting, told the court Hatton had been walking his Malamute type dog Coco on Thornham Way Play Park in Eastrea on June 29 when the attack happened at about 9am.

Victim Janet Circuit had also been walking her dog, a Jack Russell named Suzie

She said: “The defendant was walking his two dogs on the park. Each weighs around 35kg, and as such a lead should be able to cope with dogs weighing £50kg.

“One of the dogs, Coco, saw the 69-year-old victim, Mrs Circuit, walking her Jack Russell. Coco tried to run after the dog, and his lead snappened.

“The victim saw what was happening and picked up her dog.

“Coco jumped up and knocked her to the floor. Her husband was trying to get the dog off her, and the defendant was also struggling with Coco and his other dog.

“Coco bit the victim to the chest and wrist, and also the Jack Russell.

“Mrs Circuit suffered a fractured wrist, and she still does not know if she will lose the use of her fingers.”

Speaking to The Peterborough Telegraph after the incident, Mrs Circuit said she thought if a child had been attacked by the dog, they would have been killed.

Mrs Carradice said the treatment to the Jack Russell cost £900.

She added: “The defendant continues to walk the dog in the park, but local residents are still worried. Parents won’t let children play in the park, and there have been five separate calls to police.”

Mrs Carradice said the prosecution were seeking the destruction of the dog, and a ban on the defendant from being able to keep dogs for a period of time.

Joanna Hardy, defending, said: “The defendant has other dogs at home, and foster dogs on a voluntary basis.”

The case was adjourned until Monday, September 16 for probation to prepare a report on Hatton, a report to be prepared looking at his suitability to care for dogs and into the behaviour of Coco.
Hatton was granted bail until the next hearing.

Following the incident, husky type dogs were banned from the Eastrea Village fete over fears of their temperament

(Peterborough Telegraph - Aug 22 2013)