Dangerous dog owner Christopher Dunn faces jail
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by Keith
Hunt
The owner of a dangerous dog that savaged a young girl has been
warned he could face a jail sentence.
Ten-year-old Jessica Davies (pictured left) suffered severe cuts
to her head when attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross in
Rochester.
Owner Christopher Dunn, of Wyatt Place, Rochester, admitted
keeping a dangerous dog that caused injury while out of
control.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Dunn’s daughter Nancy, aged nine,
was playing with Jessica when she took the puppy, called Reg, to a
park on June 20 last year.
The pet suddenly attacked the victim, causing a serious wound to
the scalp and tissue loss, with scarring under the
hairline.
She was referred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East
Grinstead for specialist treatment.
Martin Yale, prosecuting, said Dunn at first said he allowed his
daughter to take the dog out because it was a puppy. He then
backtracked and said he did not let her take the dog out.
Louise Oakley, defending, said the father’s case was he did not
know his youngest daughter had taken the pet on the day of the
attack.
“The dog was destroyed immediately after the offence with the
consent of the defendant, having been advised of the injuries,”
said Miss Oakley.
He had been doing some school work with his older daughter
Bella, 15, when Nancy ran to the house and told him what had
happened.
The puppy had been given to Bella as a Christmas present.
Miss Oakley said the family was on income support, Dunn, 46,
having suffered a crush injury to his ankle.
Sentence was adjourned until August 23 to hear further
evidence.
Granting conditional bail, Judge Martin Joy told the father: “You
have pleaded guilty to a serious offence, which had serious
consequences.
“Before sentence is passed the court requires evidence to decide
an important matter of fact.”
The judge added: “Custody would appear to be on the cards but all
options are open.”
Wednesday, September 01 2010
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