Couple’s tug-of-war over pet rottweiler leaves woman bleeding in street
A FORMER Saatchi and Saatchi designer has told how she was left bleeding in the street after becoming embroiled in a tug-of-war with her exboyfriend over their pet dog.
Ellen Van de Vusse’s partner, Colin Comiskey, 35, bought her a rottweiler, Lola, as a gift during their three-year relationship, but after the couple separated Comiskey assaulted the advertising executive during a row over the animal.
Comiskey, a carpenter, had visited his former girlfriend at her London home but the pair became involved in a physical altercation which left Ms Van de Vusse with a bloodied arm, Hendon magistrates’ court heard.
It heard that Comiskey had visited Ms Van de Vusse in April to drop off the dog and collect a number of his possessions.
Mo Miah, prosecuting, said: “The incident ensues as a result of an argument between the two over their dog and possession of that dog.”
It is not the first time the pair have become involved in such a dispute. The Irishman was sentenced to an 18-month community order earlier this year after he attacked his former partner at home in January.
Ms Van de Vusse, now a senior account director with marketing agency OK COOL, wept as she told the court: “The reason he came to the house was that he demanded to collect some of his possessions.
“I said can we talk a bit about the situation with
Lola. At this time he had wanted to swap her back four days a week. I said: ‘The current situation and the constant back and forth is not working for me. Can we do a week at a time?’.”
At this point Comiskey allegedly became aggressive, shouting about money and Ms Van de Vusse’s new boyfriend.
“He grabbed a lead and then he walked back into the kitchen and then put the lead on Lola,” said Ms Van de Vusse. “I said: ‘No you cannot take her, she is meant to stay with me today.’ I leant forward and I unclipped the collar. I put my arms around her and hugged her.”
The court heard that Comiskey “pushed and pulled” Lola before taking her into the street, followed by Ms Van de Vusse.
She added: “I was holding Lola… he pushed me down onto the road. He ran down the road with her [Lola].
“I was standing in the street watching it. I was going to be sick. I looked down at my arm and it was covered in blood – blood all over my hand.”
Comiskey denied assaulting Ms Van de Vusse and said the injuries were not his fault. He claimed that his ex got the injuries struggling with the dog collar, adding: “There was no assault. I did not cause the injuries. It was not done by me.”
Magistrate Alexia Featherstonehowe rejected his version of events: “We have seen photographs of injuries and we believe these injuries are consistent with pushing and pulling. We believe these injuries were inflicted by you. We find you guilty of this assault.”
Comiskey, of Fulham, was convicted of common assault, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
He will be sentenced later this month.
‘I was going to be sick. I looked down at my arm and it was covered in blood – blood all over my hand’