Published date: 23 March 2016 |
Published by: Staff reporterRead more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter
A DANGEROUSLY out -of- control dog ripped a beloved family pet out of its owner’s arms and killed it in front of her.
Jenna Davies, 30, of Bran, Acrefair, had been walking her Staffordshire bull terrier Blake, near Splash Magic on November 10 last year.
Blake’s lead snapped and rather than returning home to get a replacement, she continued on her journey.
But Blake got away from Davies, and ran towards Michelle Williams, who was out walking her 10-year-old Jack Russell, Digger.
Ms Williams heard Davies shout: “Pick him up, pick him up.”
But Blake grabbed Digger by the throat and locked his jaw, ripping Digger from Ms Williams’ arms and knocking her to the ground.
Ms Williams’ friend tried to get Blake off Digger but couldn’t and was also knocked over.
When Blake finally let go, it was clear Digger had died from his injuries.
Appearing for sentencing at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday, Davies wept through the hearing.
She had previously pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court police were called and eventually located Davies and her dog.
In a statement to police, Ms Williams said before she could do anything, Blake jumped up and grabbed Digger by the throat, tearing him from her grasp. All she heard from Digger was a solitary yelp before he fell silent.
After the attack was over, Ms Williams rushed back to her home to get away from the situation.
In a victim impact statement read out before the court, she added: “I was so upset Digger had been killed. I was shaking with the trauma.
“This was not the first time Blake had attacked him. The cost of having Digger cremated was nothing compared to the heartbreak and trauma this has caused.
“I don’t think I will get another dog. I was so scared I would be hurt by Blake.”
The court heard Ms Williams had taken time off work after the attack and had not been as active or socialised as much since Digger was killed.
She added: “All the family are upset by what has happened. It is hard to put into words how empty my life feels now.”
Emma Simoes, defending, said Davies was very remorseful about the attack.
“This is a lady whose life revolves around animals. She is distraught and very concerned Blake will be put down and she will be disqualified from having any other pets.
“She had Blake for six years and this was an isolated incident.
“The lead snapped and rather than going back to get another, she thought she would be able to control him.”
Miss Simoes told the court Davies had pleaded guilty on that basis.
Sentencing, district judge Gwyn Jones said Blake had “the taste of blood” and only an immediate destruction order would be appropriate.
He added: “I can’t disregard the fact that when the lead broke, you were taking a dog out of control into an area where members of the public were walking.
“That area is populated by a vast number of people, some of whom would be taking their children to the nearby leisure centre.
“They should not be subjected to a dog which could potentially harm them.
“This has had an impact on the victim, who saw her dog killed in front of her and had the threat of her being maimed as well.“
Mr Jones sentenced Davies to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work.
He also ordered her to pay £260 compensation to Ms Williams, as well as £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
But he drew back from banning Davies, who has another dog, two cats and a hamster, from owning other animals.
see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/160046/dangerous-out-of-control-dog-ripped-pet-from-wrexham-owner-s-arms-before-killing-it.aspx
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