Is to be put down
DANGEROUSLY OUT-OF-CONTROL PET ALSO ATTACKED POLICE OFFICER
A DOG is to be put down after being deemed dangerous following attacks on a police officer and charity worker.
Dooley, a large black Labrador, will be destroyed after its owner Brian Tideswell admitted being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.
The animal bit a charity worker who was knocking door-todoor. It later bit a police officer who was investigating the earlier incident in Burnage.
Manchester magistrates court heard that Tideswell had looked after the dog for the past eight years as a ‘legacy’ to his dead son.
Tideswell did not oppose the order to destroy the dog in court.
Defending, James McDermott said: “The defendant and his wife wanted to keep hold of it and care for it, and they have done so successfully for a number of years.
“They wanted to care for it as a legacy to his son, and sadly after eight years these incidents have occurred.” Tideswell, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control, in relation to the incident involving the police officer on September 9 last year. Prosecuting, Robin Lynch said that when the officer knocked on the door, the dog jumped up and bit his left hand. The bite caused a two-inch puncture wound, causing swelling, bleeding and soreness. The officer asked the man to control his dog, and he took it away into a room in the house. Earlier that day, a charity worker who had been knocking on houses in the area was confronted by the dog on the doorstep. Mr McDermott said Tideswell was not aware that the charity worker had been bit until the officer arrived later that day. The court heard that the charity worker did not want to press charges and instead asked that its owner by ‘verbally advised’. District judge Paul Carr said: “I know that is very sad for you [Tideswell] but in my view the law requires me to do so.”
Tideswell, of Southbank Road, Burnage, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £150 compensation, costs of £85 and a £30 surcharge.