UNITED KINGDOM -- A man threw the body of a dog under a car after his Staffordshire Bull Terrier decapitated it, a court has heard.
David Savage, of Folly Lane, appeared in Halton Magistrates' Court this morning.
He has admitted being in charge of dog dangerously out of control in a public place.
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| RIP Elvis |
Witnesses said he threw the body of Elvis, a Pomeranian, under the car in a resident’s garden following the attack on Kingsway South in July.
A four-year-old girl witnessed the attack.
The court was also told Savage, aged 44, has a previous conviction in 2006 for having a dog out of control.
Catherine Whincup, prosecuting, said the five stone ‘athletic’ Staffordshire Bull Terrier, called George, should be destroyed.
Savage got the animal four months before the incident from a friend.
Magistrates say they will sentence him, and decide on the dog's future, on September 16 at Halton Magistrates Court.
They expressed concern for his lack of remorse and previous conviction for a similar offence.
A destruction order for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and a ban on Savage from owning animals will be considered.
The charges follow the incident on July 6 when Elvis was attacked by the dangerous dog.
It bulled through a gate at Margaret Antell’s property on Kingsway South when it snatched Elvis in its jaws, tearing the family pet’s head off.
Daughter-in-law Gemma Antell, aged 30, of Fearnhead Lane, owned Elvis.
The court heard Susan Campbell, a friend of Savage, was walking the dog and could not control it.
“It was broad daylight, in front of members of the public including a small child,” said Mrs Whincup.
“Thankfully no human was attacked because of this.”
She said that Savage, who has previously been subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order which he breached, did not try to stop his pet from killing Elvis.
Mrs Whincup added Mrs Antell has been left ‘extremely distressed’ by the incident.
Gary Heaven, defending Savage, said his dog had not shown violent tendencies before.
“During the period it was in his possession there was no occasion it had displayed any traits whatsoever that suggested it was capable of violence, let alone that level of violence,” said Mr Heaven.
“The reason he wasn’t holding the dog himself is that he suffers from severe back pain. He had taken medication that morning and it had caused his hands to tremble quite badly. He wanted the dog to get exercise but wasn’t capable of holding the leash.”
Meanwhile, Campbell, of Thelwall Lane, Latchford, also 44, did not appear in court today.
She was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, along with Savage, after both defendants failed to attend the initial court hearing.
Campbell was bailed last night by Cheshire Police.
Both will appear on September 16.
(Warrington Guardian - August 1, 2013)
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