Dog that bit man was frightened, court decides

ADOG and its owner have both received suspended sentences after the pet bit a man. American bulldog Tank, aged six, bit Andrew Holloway on his arm after Mr Holloway entered a shared garden in Kingswood.

But, after hearing evidence from a dog behaviourist, a judge concluded the pet was not dangerous and had displayed fear to people rather than aggression.

Tank’s owner David Norman, 25, who was living in Claypool Road, pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury in August.

Judge Michael Cullum gave Norman a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to pay £200 compensation.

He said: “The dog was not displaying aggression but defensive, frightened behaviour.”

The judge did not impose a destruction order on Tank, but said it would be destroyed if it left its home without being muzzled or put on a lead.

The judge told Norman: “The life of the dog is entirely in your hands.”

William Hunter, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Mr Holloway was aware of the dog and declared he was coming before he went in.

Mr Hunter said: “He entered and the dog went towards him and attacked him.

“It clenched its teeth around his forearm and was sinking its teeth in.

“The victim was in considerable pain. He said he had never felt pain like it in his life.

“The defendant struck the dog repeatedly to make it go and the dog let go.”

Mr Holloway received hospital treatment for puncture wounds to his arm.

Police called to the scene arrested Norman and found Tank barking in Norman’s kitchen.

Officers wearing protective clothing then restrained the pet using animal control poles and he was taken to police kennels.

Debbie Connolly, a dog behaviourist, told the judge she assessed the pet in a police station car park as she was denied access to police kennels.

She said there had been evidence Tank had been aggressive to other dogs, but not directly at kennel staff.

Ms Connolly said the pet appeared to be stressed and frightened and noted he did not attack police when they restrained him.

She told the court any dog can bite, but in six years this dog had done nothing but he needed to be properly controlled and supervised.

Caighli Taylor, defending, conceded Tank had had “issues” with postmen.

But she said he had not been involved in any incidents as serious as that regarding Mr Holloway.