Bradford man 'will make full recovery' after dog attack ordeal

UNITED KINGDOM -- TWO dogs which savaged a father in an horrific street attack were not banned breeds, but may be put down for being so uncontrollable.

Police are to seek a court order for their destruction after the owners admitted they were dangerously out of control.

Lee Flatt, 35, was mauled as he walked to work by two snarling dogs which ran out of a garden in Buttershaw Drive, Buttershow earlier this month.

He escaped with his life when a brave neighbour hit out at the dog with a wheelie bin, allowing him to wriggle out of his jacket and flee.

Mr Flatt was in hospital for six days and had two operations on severe arm injuries, but was allowed home this week.

At first the attacking dogs were thought to be banned American Pit Bulls.

But yesterday, Sergeant Richard Sheard, in charge of the police investigation, said it had been established the dogs were American Bulldogs, which are not banned.

A third dog, not involved in the attack but which was found at the same house as the other two, is a banned American Pit Bull and police will also seek to have that destroyed.

Sgt Sheard said two 26-year-old men had voluntarily been interviewed and had admitted joint ownership of all three dogs, and that two of them had been dangerously out of control.

He said: "The owners have signed disclaimers and we will apply to the courts for the dogs' destruction. They are currently in specialist police kennels.

"The third dog has been confirmed to be a banned American Pit Bull and we will be asking the courts for a destruction order in that case. A third party has claimed ownership of that dog and there is an ongoing investigation into that."

He said the two men would be reported for summons and were expected to appear in court later.

He said statements had been taken from Mr Flatt and the witness who threw the bin at the dogs. Two other witnesses, a paper boy who fled to a house and a woman who carried her baby to safety, have come forward.

Mr Flatt told the Telegraph & Argus he was now resting at home and was taking antibiotics and painkillers.

"I am still in pain but I am managing. I had two operations to repair the damage to my arm and they went well. The district nurse is looking after me now," he said.

"I have been signed off work, as a warehouse fork lift truck driver, for two weeks, but I am itching to get back and get on with my life. I am getting a bit bored and fed up at home."

(Telegraph and Argus - Sept 27, 2014)