Responsible dog ownership:
Leonora Kelleher had her pet Toby destroyed after he mauled a dog in the grounds of St Andrew’s Church in Bishop Auckland on January 11, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe were told.
…
Alan Meehan in mitigation said Toby had come from a rescue centre and was fine around people and children but could become aggressive with other dogs.
He said Toby was destroyed soon after the attack and Kelleher, who had never even been in trouble with the police before, wrote a letter of apology to Timmy’s owner.
Magistrates gave her a conditional discharge for six months and ordered her to pay £54.91 to cover Timmy’s vet bills and a £15 victim surcharge.
Irresponsible dog ownership:
Miss Samantha Powis defending said the terrier had been frightened by the firework in Haden Hill Park and it broke free from Fowkes despite his best efforts to hang onto his pet.
She said: "I want to make the distinction between people who let bull terriers and staffies off in the park and these law abiding people."
"They do not want to see their dog destroyed when they have done all they can to make sure the dog is secure."
…
Mr Linnemann told Wolverhampton Crown Court the terrier had a history of aggression and in an earlier incident it had attacked a pensioner.
He said: "A dog with this history having inadequate equipment to control it is perhaps not excusable."
And yet, magistrates think otherwise. Why? God only knows...
ordered her to pay £54.91 to cover Timmy’s vet bills
ReplyDeleteIt costs that much to read the magazine in the waiting room. Timmy wasn't exactly at death's door.
IANAL, couldn't they have just told her to pay the vet and go home?
"It costs that much to read the magazine in the waiting room. Timmy wasn't exactly at death's door."
ReplyDeleteIn my vets, it does! I suspect this might be the nominal fee charged by the PDSA, or other charity.