Paul Grey was given a community order at Swansea Crown Court
AN owner who did nothing to stop his Staffordshire Terrier attacking and injuring a policeman has been given a community order and banned from keeping dogs for four years.
The terrier clamped its jaws onto the hand of the officer who was carrying out a drugs raid — and had to be tasered to make it release its grip.
A dog destruction order has now been issued for the animal.
Swansea Crown Court heard that officers forced entry to Paul Grey's house in Heol Frank, Penlan, in September last year to execute a drugs warrant.
One of the officers went into the kitchen of the ground floor flat where he was attacked by the Staffie.
James Hartson, for the prosecution, said the dog sunk his teeth in the constable's right hand and clamped its jaws shut.
He said: "The officer and other officers attempted to release the dog by punching and kicking it — but that made it worse, and the dog strengthened its grip.
"Ultimately, the dog's grip was released when a Taser was deployed.
"The defendant made no attempt to bring the dog under control, and made no attempt to warn the police that there was a dog in the premises.
"This prosecution was brought over the defendant's failure to act — this is, his omission."
The court heard a subsequent search of the flat uncovered 1.5 grams of heroin and 0.3 grams of cannabis.
Grey, aged 37, had previously pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control that causes injury, and to possessing the Class A and Class B drugs when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
The court heard the dog in question has been kept in police kennels since last September at a cost to the force of some £4,350. A report said the dog had been aggressive towards kennel staff.
Mr Hartson said the attack had left the officer with wounds on the back and palm of his hands that required plastic surgery, and with tendon damage that had affected his grip.
The court heard Grey has 18 previous convictions for some 64 offences, including ones for violence. His last conviction was in 2013 when he was jailed for 12 months for affray.
Paul Hobson, for Grey, said the defendant had taken "impressive" steps to tackle his heroin addition, and asked the judge not to send him to prison so he could continue his good work with probation.
Judge Keith Thomas told the defendant he had "deliberately avoided" ensuring the officers' safety, and was not a fit and proper person to own the dog.
The judge gave Grey a two year community order with a rehabilitation requirement, and banned him from having custody of a dog for four years.
The judge also issued a dog destruction order, and ordered Grey to pay the cost of any kenneling of the animal from now until its destruction up to a maximum of £500.
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