A woman failed to keep her American XL Bully on a lead, allowing it to bare its teeth and snarl at two Jack Russells.
Armani Costello, 20, of Lingmell Avenue, St Helens, was sentenced at Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (November 2). She had pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
Prosecuting, Aaron Smith told the court that, on July 27 2021, Costello took two of her dogs out for a walk and did not keep them on their leads. At around 9.40pm, Costello's two dogs approached Phillip Webster's two Jack Russells on Dunmail Avenue, St Helens.
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One of Costello's dogs, an American XL Bully named Chopper, snarled and bared his teeth. In July 2021, Mr Webster told the ECHO that the incident resulted in the death of Freddie, one of his Jack Russells, who he said was "pinned against the gates" by another dog.
The court heard today that Chopper was not responsible for any of the violent actions. However, both of Costello's dogs were off their leads during the incident.
Mitigating, Carole Clarke said: "This was a distressing incident". She said Chopper, who is now two-years-old, was only seven months at the time of the incident and Costello did not think he would cause any trouble.
Ms Clarke added her client had learned her lessons from the experience and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Costello pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in October. Sentencing at Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (November 2), Deputy District Judge Laura Nash told the defendant, who has previous convictions but not of this nature, that the events had "probably been a massive shock to you".
She gave Costello full credit for her guilty plea, but added that this was a "significant way to learn a serious lesson". Judge Nash fined Costello £70 for the incident, but the figure was increased to £190 with costs.
The defendant's father Gary Costello, who owns Chopper, also attended the sentencing. The judge spoke to Mr Costello about Chopper and the consequences of the incident, to which, he replied: "He's a good dog you know".
Judge Nash also ruled that Chopper must be kept on a lead at all times when in public and cannot be walked by someone under the age of 18. Responding to this, Gary Costello said: "Sound, miss".
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