An XL Bully which broke out of a caravan on a nature reserve and attacked a dog walker has been destroyed, a court heard.
Ryan Waring, who was looking after his sister’s dog, assaulted three police officers who were called to restrain the animal and smashed the windows of a police van in a bid to escape.
Last week, he was sentenced for being in charge of a dangerous dog, criminal damage and assaulting the three officers after pleading guilty in November last year.
Prosecuting, Lorraine Dewar told the court: “The victim was walking his dog in Links Avenue, Peacehaven. Dogs were running around loose. He saw two dogs – one described as an XL Bully type, which bit his dog on the tail for several minutes.
“He tried to stop it, and the dog bit his hand.
“Police were called and the dangerous dog found and contained. Officers had to use specialist equipment.”
At this point, Waring interjected from the dock: “They started shooting my dog.”
Ms Dewar continued: “The defendant said the dog must have slipped out when he was in the caravan.
“He was placed in the rear of the police van and used his feet to smash two rear windows and tried to get into the front of the car to escape.
“He was sprayed with gas and kicked officers several times.”
The court heard Waring, of Walmer Crescent, Woodingdean, who has 28 convictions for 54 offences, has recently inherited a farm which he is working on.
Defending, Kevin Bishop said: “He has had through his life a number of dogs and there haven’t been any problems. It was his partner’s dog and he had agreed to look after it.
“Unfortunately there was a problem with his caravan because it had been damaged and wasn’t secure and the dog he was looking after got out and this incident came about.
“The dog has subsequently been destroyed with the owner’s permission.”
Chair of the bench Trevor Peacock sentenced Waring to a 14 month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity days and fined him £236, plus a victim surchage of £94 and costs of £90, bringing the total court bill to £420.
Where are the costs for replacing the smashed windows in the police car? The vet bills for the injured dog? Or compensation for the dog walker and the police officers for their injuries, and any compensation for their time off. The person convicted has assets – the story says that he has just inherited a farm. Here, we have no jail time and financial costs far below the damage caused. Yes, there are some rehabilitation days – but these cost money too. So why are there no significant costs? We, and the police officers who were assaulted, the person and dog that were bitten deserve far better from the courts.
Never going to happen, they would also have make politicians repay from the ” expenses” scandal, never never never happening, theft and damages never repayed, only assesed
It does seem light-touch, although the sentencing guidelines do point towards this level of sentencing. The 300 hours of community service that are typically associated with a Community Order could be seen as about £3,600 of unpaid work, perhaps.
I’m sure Community Payback will make sure he works off his debt to society.
He won’t do them all though. There’ll be hours knocked off at the end if they don’t amount to a full day, then there’ll be various discounts (good attendance, places offered on courses instead of doing UPW etc).
Exactly what I was thinking. 28 convictions for 54 offenses…rehabilitation is wasted on this one
Did the dog belong to his sister or his partner? Or are they the same person?