Man admits he is owner of dog who bit officer
A MAN has admitted being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog which latched onto a police officer’s leg.
Ian Donkin, 60, was resisting arrest for an unrelated offence when he kicked a door and released a dog of an unknown breed.
Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard how the animal latched onto a police officer’s leg but did not bite the skin.
Stephanie Cook, prosecuting, told the court how the dog was Tasered during the incident, which occurred on April 14 last year.
She said: “He admitted the dog was his, he said he never intended to let the dog out.”
Ms Cook told the court that the dog was “used as a weapon” and the officer suffered a minor injury.
Donkin, of Hylton Road, Sunderland, initially denied being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
He was due to go on trial at the court in Sunderland on Monday but pleaded guilty at the last minute.
Ms Cook told magistrates: “There is an application in costs. As you’re aware, this trial was listed for trial.
“We’ve officers that have attended. The prosecution request full trial costs of £620.”
Stephen Hamill, defending, asked the court for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He said: “I reserve mitigation until the completion of a report, if it’s ordered.”
Chair of the Bench, Thomas Eastick, told Donkin, who was dressed in a white shirt and a dark grey coat, that a pre-sentence report will need to be completed before he is sentenced.
Mr Eastick handed Donkin unconditional bail and told him he must attend his sentencing hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in South Shields, on April 18.