Cops taser attack dog
Ex-SAFC academy footballer admits being in charge of dog which was dangerously out of control when it bit 68-year-old recovering from cancer and had to be subdued by police
A former professional boxer and ex-Sunderland academy footballer’s dog bit a passerby in a horror street attack – and kept its grip for 10 minutes.
Dalton Rush’s Dutch Herder only let go when police tasered it after it escaped from his then home in Caledonian Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland.
Moments before the attack, the dog had bitten two youngsters and was snapping at them when the 68-year-old, who is recovering from cancer, walked along the street, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.
After being hit by the weapon’s high voltage charge, the animal fled to Rush’s home with the officers in pursuit on Friday, October 30.
Rush, 28, now of Bayswater Avenue, Town End Farm, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control.
Prosecutor Leanne Duffy asked magistrates to order the dog’s destruction, a decision which will now be made by a judge at crown court.
She told the hearing: “The victim left his home to go to the shops.
“He saw two youths who appeared to be playing with a dog, but had been bitten by it.
“The dog then turned on the victim and bit his right wrist.
"Despite attempts by him, it would not break its grip.
“He’s an elderly man. The dog still had hold of him and that was some 10 minutes later.
“Officers had to taser the dog before it let go of its victim. This incident caused the man significant pain.
“The defendant has been breeding dogs and using them for security. There’s no place for this kind of behaviour in a residential area.”
Ms Duffy said the victim, who was recovering from cancer, suffered multiple abrasions and other minor injuries, and the dog also damaged his clothing.
She added that Rush had one previous conviction for an unrelated matter.
Greg Flaxen, defending, said there was no evidence Rush was a dog breeder or had any special use for the animal other than as a pet.
He added: “I would oppose the description of the animal, or any cause to stop Mr Rush from owning dogs.
“The crown has suggested that he’s turned his dog for security purposes, there is zero evidence of that.
“I think a submission should not be made on those grounds when there’s absolutely no evidence.
“What’s happened is that his garden is surrounded by a 5ft fence. CCTV shows the gate was left open, which he accepts.
“There’s a suggestion the dog was jumping up at some youths. There were no injuries.
“Unfortunately, this gentleman was walking past and was bitten.
“Mr Rush is a man who takes care of his dog, he loves this dog. The dog doesn’t usually behave in this way.
“This is not a case where you have a repeat offender. Mr Rush has one previous conviction.
“He’s an ex-professional boxer and played football for Sunderland academy. This is a man who keeps himself to himself.”
Magistrates granted Rush unconditional bail to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, May 11.