Dangerous dog destroyed

Dangerous Rottweiler dog destroyed following a spate of attacks on dogs and their owners.

At a hearing on July 2, Eastbourne Magistrates ordered that Mandela, owned by Brian Ellett, of Bodiam Avenue, Brighton, should be destroyed after hearing evidence from Brighton & Hove City Council animal welfare officers.

Ellett pleaded guilty to a charge of being the owner of a dangerous dog.

Len Batten, prosecuting on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council told the court that the incidents started in March of this year when Mandela attacked Julie Enticknapp and her dog Ronnie, a small Staffordshire bull terrier dog. Ms Enticknapp suffered bruising to her legs when Mandela bit her, and needed a tetanus injection and antibiotics.

A summons was served on Mr Ellett, but on May 8 Mandela terrorised Joyce Wild and her Schnauzer dog Fred in the woods alongside Heath Hill Avenue, Brighton.  Ms Wild managed to get to a friend’s house where she called the police who spoke to Mr Ellett.

However, on June 3 Mandela was again out of control, attacking two dogs being walked by Vicki Terry-Brand. Mandela went for the legs of one of the dogs, a male Jack Russell type dog called Beamer, before turning his attention to Turkish the other dog, a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier and causing an injury to Turkish’s eye and ear.

At the court hearing on the June 19, Mr Ellett denied the charge relating to the first incident and the matter was adjourned for trial. However, Mr Ellett later changed his plea to guilty.

Mr Ellett told the court that his dog Mandela was getting old, was suffering with his bad legs and for the last few months had turned against smaller dogs.

The Magistrates decided that a destruction order was appropriate as they could not be satisfied that Mandela no longer constituted a danger to the public. The court also ordered Mr Ellett to pay compensation to two of the victims.

A council spokesperson, said: “Deciding that a dangerous dog should be put to sleep is never an easy decision and is always a last resort. However, in this case it is clear that magistrates have acted correctly.

“Residents should be able to walk their pets in our city without fear, while owners of unruly dogs need to be aware that our animal welfare team will investigate any reported incidents and take whatever action is required.”