Two German shepherds called Nuke and Demon could be destroyed after mauling another dog to death.
Halton Borough Council said their owner Stuart Forster, 36, of The Uplands, Palacefields, Runcorn, was walking his two pets off the lead at Town Park on Saturday, November 5 last year when the incident happened. A spokesperson for the local authority said Nuke and Demon ran towards a woman and attacked her small dog, which she was walking on a lead.
The smaller dog died during the ordeal. Its owner reported the attack to Halton Council, which investigated and launched prosecution proceedings.
READ MORE: Boy, 14, arrested after four people injured at retail park
Forster appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of having a dog dangerously out of control in public.
Sentencing was adjourned to February 7 when an application for a “contingent” destruction order for Nuke will also be heard, meaning the dog could be put down if not kept under proper control.
Efforts are under way to trace Demon, who might no longer be in Forster’s possession but could be subject to a similar order if found.
Forster was released on bail with conditions to keep Nuke under control including muzzled and on a lead under its handler’s control at all times when in public.
Court papers said he was also told to provide the council with evidence of liability insurance for Nuke and details of microchipping.
The spokesperson said. “This was a tragic incident that could have been avoided if the defendant had kept proper control of his dogs in a public place.
“The council takes all complaints about dangerous dogs very seriously.
“We hope that this recent case sends out a message of zero tolerance around dangerous dogs that cause fear and put people who use our parks and open spaces at risk.
“We will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action against anybody who allows their dogs to be dangerously out of control”.
The spokesperson said responsibility for enforcing the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is shared by the council and Cheshire Police.
Any immediate concerns around dogs behaving dangerously in a public place should be reported to police on either 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Receive our weekly Runcorn and Widnes newsletter and breaking news email alerts by signing up here.
READ NEXT:
Woman, 26, fighting for life after being hit by van
Family living in house 'like an igloo' after heating turned off
Police helicopter chase as van speeds through red lights and mounts pavement
Loose Women host praises Liverpool amid 'chaos' in rest of UK
Full list of Merseyside postcodes DPD has stopped delivering to
