Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

'Horrified' Bristol dog owner in court after pet attacked toddler

The owner of a dog which mauled a toddler has been handed a suspended jail term. Lee Lewis left Staffordshire Pitbull-type dog Marnie with the two year-old in a communal garden.

Bristol Crown Court heard there had been no previous concerns about the pet. But, for no clear reason, it turned on the child and bit her face.

Lewis, 50, of Ashley Road in St Pauls, pleaded guilty to be the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control. Judge Julian Lambert handed him a six months jail term, suspended for two years.

READ NEXT: Man charged with raping two women faces trial

The judge told him today (Tuesday, September 6): "No matter how well behaved that dog might have been you had no business leaving a dog of this type anywhere near a little girl. It was wholly irresponsible.

"The risk involved there is in the name of the dog [breed], Staffordshire Bull Terrier. That dog should never have been out with a little child and you were responsible for it happening as its owner."

The judge imposed a six-month curfew requiring Lewis to be at home on an electronic tag from 9pm to 4.30am. A hearing assessing whether or not the pet should be destroyed was put off to a later date.

Emily Evans, prosecuting, said Marnie and the child had often played together without difficulty. She told the court that when the youngster went to get her trike, Marnie lunged at her and bit her in the face twice.

The girl's mum managed to pull the pet away and police were called, Miss Evans said. The girl suffered puncture wounds to her cheek and some 11 teeth marks to her face which, it is feared, could leave her indefinitely scarred.

The dog was seized from the scene. It remains housed in kennels.

Lewis told police he didn't witness the incident. But he took full responsibility and expressed some remorse, the court heard.

Matthew Comer, defending, said: "He is horrified that his dog Marnie has injured a child. His dog has never exhibited aggression to him, his family or to any children before.

"The incident did happen. Mr Lewis is at a loss to explain why it happened."

The judge told the court: "Dogs are unpredictable around little children."

Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings.

READ NEXT:

Abusive partner threatened to rape pregnant woman

Teen charged with robberies to appear before judge

Jailed in Bristol in August 2022

Man faces trial for Fishponds sex assaults

Police update after disorder outside Bristol night club

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.