Michigan: Little dog named Jet lucky to be alive after being attacked by a Pit Bull

MICHIGAN -- Laurie Knott added 4 new photos to Facebook October 4, 2017 · Grand Rapids, MI ·

Here are pictures of my baby boy Jet today at the vet appt after pit bull attack Monday. I myself am in better shape...

...Pit bull was taken from owners by animal control to be euthanized.

North Carolina: In 2003, AKC breeder Anita Brown was caught hoarding 97 animals inside her house. They let her plead guilty to ONE count of animal cruelty. Now she's been caught with nearly 40 animals in the same house of horrors. Good job Hanover County! Maybe if you'd been tougher with her back then, animals wouldn't have suffered and died for the last 14 years.

NORTH CAROLINA -- An animal cruelty investigation that began in March led to the arrest of a Wilmington woman Friday.

Anita Brown is charged with 37 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty after 37 dogs were removed from her home in the 100 block of Fairford Road.

She was taken to the New Hanover County Detention Facility and given a $19,000 bond.

According to a release from the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Brown had been warned "on several occasions" that the dogs' living conditions in her home were not adequate.

 

 

 

In 2003, Brown was caught with nearly 100 animals inside this same house. She was breeding (and hoarding) Shelties and Whippets. She also had dozens of birds - parrots and cockatiels - living in squalor. Prosecutors, instead of doing their jobs and getting her on 97 counts of animal cruelty, let her plead to ONE COUNT of animal cruelty.

Officers with the NHCSO's Animal Services Unit executed the search warrant at Brown's home on Friday.

All the dogs were taken to the New Hanover County Animal Shelter. They will stay there until a decision is made when Brown has her trial.

This is an ongoing investigation.

  

  

 

   

  

 

  

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Anita Wolfe Brown
Gender: Female
Race: White
Arrest Age: 59
Date: 07/14/2017
Location: New Hanover County, North Carolina
Total Bond: $19,000
Charges
#1 RESIST/DELAY/OBSTRUCT PUBLIC OFFICERS
#2 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#3 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#4 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#5 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#6 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#7 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#8 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#9 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#10 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#11 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#12 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#13 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#14 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#15 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#16 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#17 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#18 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#19 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#20 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#21 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#22 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#23 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#24 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#25 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#26 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#27 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#28 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#29 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#30 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#31 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#32 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#33 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#34 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#35 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#36 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#37 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)
#38 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (M)

(WECT - July 15, 2017)

Earlier:

• North Carolina: AKC breeder Anita Brown hoarded nearly 100 animals inside her home. Prosecutors let her plead to just ONE count of animal cruelty.

West Virginia: The state supreme court ruled this dog needed to be euthanized. Yet another delay b/c the humane society will not stop their demands to save a vicious dog and send it to your neighborhood

WEST VIRGINIA -- The order to euthanize Jasper (the dog) is now on hold pending a hearing in Raleigh County Circuit Court.

As many of you know, Jasper, a whippet mix, bit two children several years ago. His case has wound through the courts, including the Supreme Court Of West Virginia.  On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice responded to appeals for a pardon with a news release stating “it is not possible for the governor to intervene.”

Late Friday afternoon, Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick issued an order that indicated the dog's owner, from the beginning, hadn't been aware of her right to an appeal.

The Humane Society of Raleigh County is relieved.

In issuing a stay, Judge Kirkpatrick’s order points out that, in the 2-1/2 years Jasper has been in the care of the humane society, he has exhibited no aggressive behavior toward either staff or visitors. He says Jasper's fate will be determined at a hearing at a later date.

Um, yeah, judge... it's like saying a convicted rapist and serial killer has been a good boy while in prison. 

"Well, it's almost like we couldn't believe it,” said HSRC Treasurer Teresa Hicks. “We were actually just minutes away from actually having to euthanize Jasper by the court order, and we were going to follow that order. And this was a very, very welcome fax to come to us."

However the family of two children bit by Jasper are extremely disappointed with the new court order. Their attorney, Gerald Hayden, released the following statement:

The childrens' family is a extremely disappointed in the most recent developments regarding the animal named Jasper.  The State Supreme Court unanimously upheld rulings that the dog is a danger to society and ordered it to be euthanized.  The order has been delayed in part because of a social media campaign by animal advocates (no call them what they are -- animal rights zealots) making the dog the victim and the children to be the ones responsible.  

This shameful campaign is littered with misleading information about the character of two small children.  The two little girls will continue to be subjects of scrutiny and potential backlash as long as the case lingers.

The family prays for an expedited execution of the Supreme Court's order and to put the children first over the rights of a dog that has been adjudicated as a dangerous animal," said Gerald Hayden, attorney for the victim's family.

(WVVA - Feb 3, 2017)

Earlier:

• West Virginia: Raleigh County dog that has attacked children on 3 separate occasions to be put down following W.Va. Supreme Court ruling

West Virginia: Raleigh County dog that has attacked children on 3 separate occasions to be put down following W.Va. Supreme Court ruling

WEST VIRGINIA -- The fate of a Mount Hope dog at the center of a storm of controversy is reaffirmed by the West Virginia Supreme Court on Friday.

In an unanimous decision issued on January 6, 2017, the justices upheld a decision in Raleigh County Circuit Court to have the dog 'Jasper' put down.

The legal fight started in 2015, when the state filed a petition to have the Whippet mix euthanized after claims by two parents that the dog bit two girls, aged four and eight, on three separate occasions in 2015.

The parents alleged that the final attack in March of 2015 resulted in substantial injury to one girl's arm.'

As a result of those injuries, a Raleigh County magistrate judge ordered for the canine to be put down and the decision was appealed to Raleigh County Circuit Court, where it was upheld. That decision was reaffirmed by the West Virginia Supreme Court in January.

Following the high court's decision, it will be up to the Beckley-Raleigh County Animal Shelter, where the dog has been housed, to have the canine euthanized.

In a 2015 interview with WVVA News, an attorney for the shelter said the dog has been on good behavior since its arrival that August. The attorney said the shelter even had a trainer come in to evaluate the dog.

"We want a happy ending,” Valerie Harvey said. “We believe that we can find a home for him without children or send him to a rescue without children or even a sanctuary. And if nothing else, he can stay here at the animal shelter with us just so we can keep his life."

This is the problem with the whole 'no kill' shelter movement. They think a live in a cage at the shelter is a life worth living. And even if they sent the dog off to a rescue, who's to say it won't get loose someday and attack some children down the street?

EARLIER:
A dog attack in Raleigh County has a mom upset with an animal welfare group.

Angela Houck said her daughters Maile, 4, and Mia, 8, were viciously attacked by a dog, Jasper, on three separate occasions outside their home in Mount Hope.

Although the dog has since been removed from the neighborhood, the family is calling into question efforts to save the dog's life in Raleigh County Circuit Court.

"To be steps away and hearing their screams, seeing the blood, you can't explain it unless you live it. To see what it's like to have your two daughters ripped apart by a vicious dog," said Houck. "After the third attack, at some point, you have to choose, your kids or your dog, and there's no question.

Houck's attorney, Gerald Hayden, said that a fundraising site that was started to save the dog has reopened old wounds.

"It's severe, the emotional trauma as well as the physical trauma you can see from the pictures. You have two little girls that are frightened. They recently moved. There are physical wounds but emotional wounds as well," added Hayden.

That's because The Humane Society of Raleigh County, Inc clearly doesn't care about spending all their donated money trying to save a vicious dog. 

An attorney for the shelter said the dog has been on good behavior since its arrival last August. They have even had a trainer come in to evaluate the dog.

"The physical scars, we see them every night when we bathe the children, but it's the mental scars that are the worst. They have nightmares," said Houck.

(WVVA - Jan 11, 2017)

Oregon: Authorities seize 11 dogs from breeders Evelyn Maas and Shirley Stephenson; filthy conditions cited

OREGON -- Two Veneta women are accused of violating city code and state animal laws by having as many as 28 dogs inside a squalid house on East Hunter Road.

Authorities seized 11 dogs Tuesday from the residence of Evelyn Maas and Shirley Stephenson after a search warrant affidavit was filed in Lane County Circuit Court last week. No arrests have been made.

According to her website, Stephenson owns and operates Monet French Bulldogs, a breeding business, out of the property. Her Facebook page lists a number of puppies available for sale, and her show dogs.

The dogs seized by authorities include Chinese Cresteds, Shih Tzus, a Whippet, a Bull Terrier, a Poodle and a French Bulldog.

The alleged violations came to the attention of the Oregon Humane Society’s investigations department, the city of Veneta’s code enforcement officer and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office last week. Authorities from the agencies went to the address and found poor sanitary conditions, the affidavit states.

Sheriff’s deputy Mark Nelson reported he could smell urine and feces at least 20 feet from the house.

Feces were “several inches thick” in most of the house, the affidavit states. There were “no clean areas” in the house, with garbage and papers scattered throughout, the document states.

The carpeted stairs were “encrusted” with feces, the affidavit states.

Authorities initially observed several dogs inside the home. As many as 28 were there the week before the search warrant was served and the dogs were seized, the affidavit states.

Two were in a fifth-wheel trailer on the property, which also was allegedly covered with urine, feces and garbage.

Nelson asked the women about the dogs, and “they both said they didn’t know and acted surprised that there was a dog in there,” the affidavit states.

The dogs appeared to be healthy, the affidavit states, but didn’t have access to clean water and weren’t believed to be under proper veterinary care.

Veneta city code bars a resident from having more than three adult dogs at one house. The conditions at the property constituted second-degree animal neglect, a violation of state law, the affidavit said

Stephenson was sued in Lane County Circuit Court in 2015 by the Veneta Veterinary Hospital for alleged unpaid bills that totaled more than $1,000. A judge ordered her to pay the debt.

The dogs were taken out of the area by the Ore­gon Humane Society.

(Register Guard - Nov 21, 2016)

United Kingdom: Hundreds of animal lovers support a heartbroken dog owner as he takes his beloved 18-year-old whippet for his final walk

UNITED KINGDOM -- Hundreds of animal lovers turned out to support a heartbroken dog owner as he took his beloved pet on its final walk.

Mark Woods stole the nation's heart after he appealed for fellow dog lovers to join him on his last walk with Walnut, the 18-year-old whippet he has had since a puppy.

Hordes of well-wishers, many accompanied by their own dogs, joined Mark and his family on a wind swept Porth beach in Newquay for Walnut's emotional farewell.

Mark carried Walnut across the beach in Cornwall as his health has deteriorated in old age and he's no longer able to walk.

 

Covered in a checkered blanket to keep him warm, strangers comforted Walnut and children came over to stroke the dog as they strolled past the water's edge.

Before his best friend's death, Mark wanted to take him for a stroll on his favorite beach for his final farewell. Despite Mark's two marriages and three engagements, he's had Walnut all the way through.

The dog owner has stolen the nation's heart, including TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who had to hold back tears yesterday when Walnut appeared on ITV's This Morning show.

 

Mark and Walnut's story has been shared thousands of times, and people from all over the UK have sent their support.

Speaking before the walk, Mark said: 'I think that all pets are special to everybody, I've got three other whippets, but there's something special about Walnut.

 

'He's been with me through some very difficult times in my life and he's just got me through them, both physically and mentally.

'We've shared a lot of dramas, a lot of fun and a lot of shenanigans and he's exceptionally special. Eighteen years is a long time to build up a bond of friendship. We normally walk alone on the beach of a morning.

 

'It just felt the right thing to do to share a walk for a change, we have the most beautiful beaches in Newquay, a lovely community here and a lot of people have dogs.'

Mark has spoiled Walnut with his favorite treats, burgers and custard cremes, in his final days.

Walnut was due to be put down at 11.30am this morning.

(Daily Mail - Nov 12, 2016)

United Kingdom: Months after being attacked by a pit bull, Whippet's injuries still require care

UNITED KINGDOM -- "It's been 4.5 months since Suzy was attacked by a Pit Bull. The wound on her chest is almost healed but it's been a slow process with us washing it up to twice a day as the skin grew back. Bottom right and centre photos show the progress along the way and the others as Suzy is today.

She has spent the last 4 months in various T shirts to protect the wound which is now just a small scab and has reluctantly given the shirts up. Although she has lost some of her whippy shape due to the removal of ribs she is back to her old self. Just the other dog owners trial to get sorted in November and then things should be back to normal."

Deb Kendall: So happy to see how well she is doing.. She is one lucky girl.. Hope the jerks who own the pit get the book thrown at them..

Liz Fisher: Ribs removed !! Oh that's terrible poor Suzy ! So glad to hear she's on the mend . Bless her xx

Ro Zaiche: Great progress! How is your wife Paul?

Paul Budd: She will have scars from teeth marks and partial loss of sensation in one of her fingers.

 

 

 

 

 

Puppy mauled to death by dog adopted from shelter

UNITED KINGDOM -- A PUPPY was reportedly mauled to death by another dog yesterday while the owner’s daughter screamed and cried.

The Yorkshire Terrier puppy was reportedly killed at Crow Point while its owner tried to pull the other dog away.

The Dogs Trust is investigating whether it recently re-homed the dog which attacked the puppy.

The puppy’s owner described the attack in an anonymous social media post, saying a black Whippet-cross mauled the 15-week-old terrier while efforts were made to pull it away.

The owner said the un-muzzled Whippet belonged to a couple.

“They didn't try and help while my daughter was screaming and crying,” the post said.

“This has undoubtedly left a massive hole in our lives and I'd like to say to that couple, ‘I hope you can sleep tonight because we sure as hell can't’.”

A Dogs Trust spokesman said: “Dogs Trust is deeply saddened to hear of this tragic incident. We offer every sympathy to the owner and her family and are closely investigating the circumstances surrounding this event and whether a Dogs Trust dog was involved.

“We would like to reassure the public that Dogs Trust carefully monitors the behaviour of rescue dogs while in our re-homing centres, which includes mixing dogs in a controlled environment to ensure they are properly socialised.

“Dogs Trust also adheres to a very strict re-homing procedure and we are careful to provide as much information as possible about every dog we re-home.”

The police said they had not been contacted about the incident.

(North Devon Journal - ‎Feb 16, 2015‎)

Whippet badly hurt in latest Padstow dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- Padstow police are investigating another dog attack – the third in a month.
Two spaniel-type dogs attacked a whippet on Tregirls beach, Padstow, on Wednesday afternoon.

Six-year-old Bree, was left with a wound in her flank which had to be stapled by a vet.

A few weeks ago police began hunting the owner of a dog which killed a holidaymaker's pet on a Padstow beach, and the week before that a dog bit a woman on the leg in Church Lane, Padstow. In each case the owners of the attacking dogs left the scene without giving their details.

The latest incident involved a woman aged 20 to 40 with long, dark hair, who wore a floral-pattern dress. Owner June Totman said she was horrified as the woman's dogs chased Bree and tried to bring her down.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Mrs Totman, of Tregonce, "except in wildlife documentaries; it was the sort of behaviour you see when a pack of dogs are trying to bring their prey to the ground.

"It was a completely unprovoked attack. These two spaniel-type dogs – both females, I think – ran at Bree from behind and immediately started chasing her.

"They were both snapping at her and biting her. She was terrified. Fortunately she could outrun them, but not before they'd taken a nasty bite out of her and left her with a big gash in her side. She was covered in blood.

"I took her to the vet and she stapled her wound. It cost me £40."

Mrs Totman said the owner had screamed at her animals in a futile bid to bring them under control.
"People need to know how to control their dogs," she said. "Once again, this could easily have been an attack on a child."

A police spokesman said: "All dog-owners have a responsibility to ensure their pets are kept under control and not liable to attack other dogs or their owners.

"If a dog is attacked, the matter can be reported to police and may be subject to investigation, but proving that an owner has 'allowed' their dog to attack another is very difficult. Therefore it's often the case that the matter is civil and should be reported to a local authority dog warden."

Anyone with any information is being asked to call the police on 101.

(cornishguardian.co.uk - Oct 4, 2014)

Heartbroken pensioner speaks about deadly Mastiff park attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- A heartbroken pensioner whose dog was fatally mauled by an out-of-control mastiff in a Stoke Newington park has spoken about the trauma of the gruesome attack.

Brian Cleghorn’s pet whippet Daisy was left needing nearly £9,000 of emergency veterinary treatment after the unleashed dog pounced in Clissold Park, but died a day later.

The 66-year-old was walking his three dogs near the pond when the large grey-blue mastiff ran towards them and took Daisy, eight, into its jaws – shaking her, ripping her stomach open and only dropping her when its owner approached.

Police are now appealing for information to trace the mastiff’s owner, who left the park with her dog covered in blood after the attack on Wednesday, May 28.

Devastated Mr Cleghorn said it was a horrible shock: “The teeth marks went right through to her lungs. Her ribs were broken. It’s like having a polar bear on your back. It was a big breed of dog – you will never get those dogs off once they lock on.

“It was so quick I can’t remember much. I was screaming ‘Get your dog off’, but she [the owner] was just standing behind me and not doing anything.

“None of my dogs barked at the dog, if she had had her dog on the lead we could have just walked away. I was just numbed afterwards. I was in such shock I couldn’t even walk out of the right gate to go home.”

Mr Cleghorn, who had not insured his pet and had to pay a £8,700 vet’s bill, said: “If I had my dog now, I wouldn’t have minded paying the money, but she was in the vet’s less than 24 hours.

“It was the first time she had been away from me. I think of her laying there away from me, and in some way I blame myself, but I had to take her.”

Other dog owners who use the park have since raised £1,450 towards the cost of the treatment.
Mr Cleghorn said: “My other dogs were moaning and going to different parts of the house. They do grieve.

“My dogs are everything to me. I’ve had motorbikes and cars, but I never get fed up with my dogs. We’ve got a lot to learn from the animals, their senses, they tell you different things. They are always there for you, it would be an empty house without them.”

Investigating officer Pc Matt Stringer said other dog owners were worried following the attack.

“It is all owners’ responsibility to ensure that they keep their dog under control to prevent this type of attack on other animals and potentially people too,” he said.

The mastiff’s owner is described as a white female, about 5ft 7in and aged 35 to 40, with blonde hair tied in a ponytail.

Anyone with information about the owner or the attack should call police on 020 8721 2031 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(Hackney Gazette - July 2, 2014)

Six weeks ago, this woman's life changed... and police don't seem to care

UNITED KINGDOM -- Six weeks after a woman was attacked by a pack of dogs, no action has been taken against the owner.

Laura Curd and her pet whippet Willow were set upon in Gundowder Park Waltham Abbey on October 1.

Mrs Curd of Gowin Close, Sewardstone, was badly bitten and her dog underwent a three hour life-saving operation following the savage attack.

However, six weeks later, despite the police identifying the owner of the pack of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, no charges have been brought against him.

As Mrs Curd and Willow begin on their long road to recovery, the 44-year-old says that she is dismayed by the way that the police have handled it.

She said: “I just can’t understand it. It’s like the police aren’t interested and all the while these dogs are still out there. I have to keep chasing them for information. I only got through to them after I tweeted them saying how disappointed I was. It is ridiculous.”

In an email sent to Mrs Curd, Essex police say that they are considering different disposal options including options with conditions.

This means that the dogs may not be put down at all, despite attacking a human.

Since the attack Mrs Curd says that she has cut down her hours at work and cannot allow anyone else to walk her frightened pet.

She said: “I’ve only just gone back to work. The attack has changed my life. I’m frightened to walk the dog in the park, but I can’t let anyone else take her. The vet told us that Willow had over 100 stitches.”

Essex Police identified the owner of the dogs shortly after the attack however they have not charged him.

They have been asked for an update on the investigation.

(East London and West Essex Guardian Series - Nov 15, 2013)

Bank worker's pet whippet torn to shreds in frenzied attack by Staffordshire bull terriers

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog owner told of her terror when she and her whippet were set upon by a pack of savage Staffordshire bull terriers in a park.

Laura Curd, 49, described how the dogs were in a frenzy as they mauled her pet, Willow.

The animals were “like a pack of hyenas” as they ripped at Willow’s  head, throat and legs. If she had not been wearing a dog coat she would have been killed, said Mrs Curd.

The bank worker was walking Willow in Gunpowder Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex, when five dogs — all without leads and collars — launched the attack.

“They surrounded her like a pack of hyenas, tearing her to shreds in a frenzy,” said Mrs Curd. “I was hysterical and screaming. It seemed to go on forever and I thought they were going to kill her.  At one point one of the Staffs grabbed my hand in its jaws and they were going at my legs.

“The owner ran over and tried to beat off his dogs, but all five were ripping Willow to bits. As he would remove one, another dived in.

“The man scooped my dog up from the ground by the hind legs to try and get her away from his bull terriers, but as he did so, one was hanging from her head with its jaws and another was hanging from her leg.”

The man finally managed to beat his dogs away, and handed Willow to Mrs Curd. She shouted at him to go away and he walked off. She and her pet were left traumatised. Willow needed a four-hour operation on 16 wounds, requiring 70 stitches. The treatment cost £3,000.

Mrs Curd said the vet told her that “if it wasn’t for her dog jacket, Willow would have been killed”, because the bull terriers had ripped Willow’s skull and throat, but the garment had kept her body intact.

After Mrs Curd had taken her dog to the vet she went to hospital, where she was treated for shock, punctured fingers and bruised arms. She is off work with stress and said: “I’ve been mugged at knifepoint before but this is much worse, it’s completely floored me.

“My life has come to a standstill, and I can’t believe the owner is still out there — what if those dogs come across a child? The sad thing is we moved specifically to the area for the beautiful park to walk our dog in, and now I can’t even set foot in it.”

Epping police are investigating the attack, which took place at 7am on October 1, but no arrests have been made. A spokeswoman said:  “Inquiries continue.”

Last October Gloria Knowles, 71, was killed by four dogs at her daughter’s home in Morden. In April last year a pregnant woman was mauled by a Japanese Akita as she tried to protect her pet in Collier's Wood.

(Evening Standard - Oct 14, 2013)

Community order after pack of dogs attacked pet

UNITED KINGDOM -- A man has been given a community order after his pack of nine dogs attacked a family pet in the grounds of the home of MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Dozer the black Labrador was left so badly mauled it needed treatment costing £1,400.

Robert Baker, 46, of Pawlett Road, Bristol, appeared at Bath Magistrates' Court charged with criminal damage, relating to the incident which took place in West Harptree earlier this year.

The court heard that Baker had been walking nine dogs – three mastiffs, three whippets and three Jack Russell terriers – through the field, which has a public right of way across it, at about 3pm on March 18.

He said after seeing no one was nearby he decided to let the animals off their leads. His defence claimed the Labrador, called Dozer, whose owner Deborah Bowler works for Mr Rees-Mogg and lives on the adjacent land, had run up to the group and bitten Baker on the leg.

The court was told that he shouted out in pain which caused his dogs to come running to the scene to attack Dozer, causing significant injuries to his head, neck, ears and legs, which meant the dog had to undergo a three-and-a-half hour operation.

The court heard an impact statement from Mrs Bowler which said she was "angry and upset" about what had happened and that she wanted to see the dogs destroyed because she did not believe Baker had any control over them.

Gaynor Ibe, defending, said her client had done everything he could to stop the attack, even going as far as to lie on top of the Labrador to shield it from the out of control pack.

Ms Ibe said: "This is an extremely unfortunate incident and he looks back on it with deep regret. He has now purchased muzzles for the dogs and he no longer takes them out in such a large group.

"He has to accept that dogs are pack animals and that when they see one of their pack, in this case Mr Baker, under threat then they behave like pack animals."

She also said that Baker had been forced to leave West Harptree, where he had been living with his partner, because he and his family had been victims of abuse from villagers since the incident.

Baker, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was given a six-month community order, a four-week curfew and ordered to pay £1,400 in compensation to Mrs Bowler.

(Somerset Guardian - August 31, 2012)

Call to get tough on dog-owners after pet labrador is viciously savaged

UNITED KINGDOM -- A Tory MP’s housekeeper has called for tough new penalties on dog owners after her labrador was nearly savaged to death by ten hounds on his land.

Grandmother Debbie Bower watched in horror as the dogs attacked her beloved Dozer in a 25-minute assault in an orchard owned by Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Dozer was mauled to within an inch of his life and only survived thanks to a life-saving three-and-a-half hour operation.

Ms Bower, 46, is now calling for a change in the law to make ‘dog on dog’ attacks illegal and enable dog owners to be punished if their pets attack other animals.

Mr Rees-Mogg is backing her case and has pledged to raise the issue in Parliament if she raises 1,000 signatures on a petition outlining her proposals.

The attack took place on March 18 at the constituency home of Mr Rees-Mogg, the Conservative MP for North East Somerset, in West Harptree, Somerset.

Dozer, a six-year-old labrador, was playing in the garden with Ms Bower’s grandchildren.

Ten angry dogs, made up of Staffordshire bull terriers, Jack Russells and whippets, leapt over a fence into the orchard from a public footpath which runs alongside his land.

The animals, which weren’t on leads, charged towards Ms Bower’s grandson before attacking the labrador.

He was left with horrific injuries with Ms Bower sure her beloved pet had been killed.

She said: “His leg was bitten down to the bone, he had bites all over his head – he is lucky to be alive, I thought he was dead.

“His instincts kicked in and he played dead, I think that is the only thing that saved him.

“He had to undergo a three-and-a-half hour operation under anaesthetic.

“The dogs should have been kept on a lead. One of the dogs ran at my grandson first before going at Dozer – my grandchildren were hysterical and terrified.

“The owner was trying to get the dogs off but he shouldn’t be out with ten at a time and he should have them on a lead.

“It isn’t illegal for a dog to attack another but it should be and owners should be held accountable.”

Avon and Somerset Police are investigating Ms Bower’s complaint, but no charges have been brought against the owner of the dogs.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who was elected MP for North East Somerset in 2010, has spoken of his shock at the incident and offered his support to his housekeeper.

He said: “The event happened in my garden and I was shocked and very concerned about it. My children play in that garden.

“The owner of the dogs has expressed his concern at the event and he has recognised his responsibility.

“He says he will now walk his animals on a lead

“The Dangerous Dogs Act deals with dogs who are a risk to people but I think owners have a duty of care towards other dogs too.

“If Deborah gets a petition signed I will present it in Parliament.”

(This is Somerset - April 4, 2012)