A dog owner whose pet attacked a woman as she stood talking to him will have to keep it under control in the future.
The attack on the victim, who was holding her pet chihuahua, Bandit, at the time, left her with a bleeding forearm and ripped her coat sleeve.
Mark Benson, for the prosecution, said the October 22 attack left the victim needing hospital treatment for an inch-long laceration that had to be stitched.
’The court may wish to impose a compensation order for the victim who has done nothing wrong,’ Mr Benson said.
He told the bench the victim had also been left with a significant bruise on her arm where the bite had connected.
’I suggest the court impose a control order for the dog to be kept under proper control and muzzled in public.
’It is clear from his history that the defendant has not been the ideal dog owner. It was a nasty bite and it would protect the public if the dog were muzzled when in a public place,’ he added.
Defending Houghton, Ian Kermode said his client’s dog had been on a lead at the time of the attack.
’The defendant has instructed an animal psychologist to assess Monty and he is described in the report as having an ’’extremely laid back attitude’’...like a fairground donkey,’ he said.
’The psychologist ran a whole battery of tests and those were her conclusions. So really she is saying Monty must have been provoked by Bandit, the chihuahua. It was out of character and he had not done anything like this before. Mr Houghton regrets it and it was entirely beyond his expectation.’
Mr Benson refuted the suggestion of provocation.
Magistrates ordered that Monty be kept under control but whether he is muzzled in public is beyond the magistrates’ remit and at the defendant’s discretion. Houghton must pay £200 compensation.