Latest news with #DangerousDogsAct
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Riot shields used against dogs after boy, 3, killed
Police had to use riot shields to protect paramedics from two dogs as they desperately tried to save a three-year-old boy who was mauled to death, a court has heard. Daniel Twigg was attacked after letting himself into a fenced yard where the two dogs - described as being large mastiffs - were kept on Carr Farm, Rochdale, on 15 May 2022. He died from injuries including bites to the neck. His parents Joanne Bedford and Mark Twigg have denied gross negligence manslaughter and offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act. PC Bethany Justice, who was one of the first emergency service workers at the scene, told their trial Ms Bedford was "hysterical" when they arrived. "She was screaming 'my baby, by baby'," PC Justice told the hearing at Manchester Crown Court. In footage from the officer's bodyworn camera, when asked about what happened, Ms Bedford was heard saying: "We were all out in the garden. Daniel went in the yard and when we heard the dogs we went in there straight away." John Elvidge KC, for the prosecution, earlier told the jury Daniel was left unsupervised with the dogs for at least 15 minutes, and that Ms Bedford "failed to give the police any account for leaving Daniel unsupervised for so long". Jurors were told when ambulance crews arrived at the house they were confronted by several caged dogs barking and jumping as well as a Staffordshire bull terrier on the loose. PC Justice said police officers made a "protective wall with riot shields" around paramedics as they treated Daniel. Daniel's family had moved to the farm in March 2022 to look after the property and several dogs who belonged to the farm's owner, Matthew Brown, the court has heard. There were 12 dogs on the property in total who the court heard were "aggressive" and living in squalid conditions. In a statement read to the court, senior paramedic Joseph O'Leary said when he arrived he could hear "screaming and crying". He said: "Daniel was laying on his back on a stone bench. "He was not breathing and had multiple wounds to his neck, which were difficult to pack with dressing or put pressure on." The court heard paramedics were able to twice restart Daniel's heart on the journey to hospital but he was in cardiac arrest by the time they arrived. Doctors made the decision to end resuscitation efforts about 20 minutes later. The trial continues. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Boy, 3, 'left alone' before fatal dog attack on farm Man and woman charged over boy's dog attack death
STV News
6 days ago
- STV News
Pregnant woman 'left severely injured' by XL Bully
A pregnant woman was allegedly left 'severely injured' after being attacked by an XL Bully in Aberdeenshire days before Christmas. The woman was with her Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog near Udny Station when she was reportedly approached by the XL Bully. Cheryl Kerr has been charged in court under the Dangerous Dogs Act following the incident on December 19 last year. It is alleged that the 35-year-old was in charge of the animal, which was unmuzzled and 'dangerously out of control'. The charge states that the XL Bully approached the pregnant woman before seizing her Staffy's head with its mouth. It allegedly struggled violently with the victim, repeatedly biting and scratching her on the body to her severe injury. The Staffy was also allegedly bitten on the body repeatedly. Kerr is also accused of allowing the XL Bully to be in a public place unmuzzled and without a lead. The case called at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday, where it was continued without plea until next month. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Pregnant woman 'severely hurt by XL Bully dog' in Aberdeenshire
A pregnant woman was allegedly badly hurt by an "out of control" XL Bully dog in Kerr, 35, has been charged in court under the Dangerous Dogs Act over an incident in the Udny Station area in December last is alleged an XL Bully she was in charge of severely injured a woman who was pregnant, as well as repeatedly biting the woman's Staffie accused did not appear when the case called for the first time at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, and it was continued without plea. The charge states the incident happened on 19 December last year at the old railway line near Udny is alleged Ms Kerr was for the time being in charge of an XL Bully and it was "dangerously out of control".It is claimed that, while unmuzzled, the dog approached the woman and her dog, seized the dog's head with its mouth, struggled violently with the woman, repeatedly bit and scratched her on the body to her severe injury, and repeatedly bit her dog on the body. It is further alleged that she had allowed an XL Bully to be in a public place without being muzzled and kept on a case against Ms Kerr, of Udny Station, will call again later in the year.
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Daily Record
Dog trainer's advice after toddler's arm 'ripped open' by cockapoo outside primary school
Rowan Skinley was doing the school run with his children when three-year-old daughter Bunnie was mauled by a cockapoo – and a dog trainer has since issued their advice A three-year-old was left "shaken up" after a vicious dog attack outside a primary school, with the animal"ripping open" her skin. Rowan Skinley was doing the school run with his three kids in Kent when a cockapoo lunged at his daughter Bunnie, dragging her to the ground and ripping open her arm. The devastated dad recalled: "It happened parallel to the school on the main road. I was just walking home after the school run. The path is quite narrow, and a woman was walking her dog on the actual road itself. "Then, out of nowhere, the dog just lunged for my daughter and pulled her to the floor. The owner managed to pull the dog off, but when she did that, it ripped her skin open. I was so shocked. All I had to stop the bleeding was my hands. I had to basically hold her skin together." Bunnie was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and required plastic surgery. However, the owner fled the scene and is now being investigated by the police. The devastating incident has sparked debate online – with many calling on dog owners to be more responsible with their pets. It has also raised questions about whether or not you can judge a dog by its breed. So to find out more, we caught up with Woofz 's dog trainer Annie-Mae Levy. The expert told us that all dogs can be aggressive – no matter what breed they are. She said: 'In my line of work, I encounter dog-human aggression in nearly every single breed!" This even applies to pooches that are deemed "family-friendly", including the cockapoo. When it comes to cockapoos, Annie-Mae said there is one particular trait you should be mindful of. Resource guarding can turn dangerous if you don't nip it in the bud. Annie-Mae explained: "Dogs become aggressive for a huge range of reasons, but mainly we are called in to deal with fear-based reactivity or resource guarding when there has been a dog bite. "I think it would surprise most people to hear that bites due to resource guarding are predominantly from cockapoos, cocker spaniels, and labradors. "We have bred these dogs to enjoy possessing items (so that they hold onto items we wanted them to retrieve), and left unchecked, this genetic desire to possess can easily slip into resource guarding behaviour. All of this says that bites happen in all breeds.' If your pet is territorial over items, food or even you, it's something to keep an eye on. Different training options can be beneficial – from teaching dogs the 'leave it' command to tackling any underlying anxiety. What are the UK laws about dangerous dogs? The Dangerous Dogs Act is a law in the United Kingdom designed to protect the public from attacks by dangerous dogs. The main legislation is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which has been amended several times since it was first introduced. The Act makes it illegal to own, breed, sell, give away, or abandon certain types of dogs considered dangerous. These are: Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino Fila Brasileiro XL Bully Dogs that are judged to be "of type" (i.e., resembling these breeds) can also be seized, even if they have not acted aggressively. However, owners of banned breeds can apply for exemption if the dog is deemed not a danger to the public. The dog must be registered, neutered, microchipped, insured, and kept on a lead and muzzled in public. The Act doesn't just deal with banned breeds – it also prohibits all dogs from acting "dangerously out of control", including cockapoos. This can be in a public place, a private place, or even in its own home if it injures someone or makes them fear injury. If a dog injures a person, the owner (or person in charge) can face prosecution, fines and prison sentences. Training is key for the wellbeing of you, your dog and the people around you.
The Courier
09-06-2025
- General
- The Courier
Pitlochry couple whose dog died after ‘bully' attack open hearts and home to senior pair
A Pitlochry couple who lost their pet dog following a tragic attack on their own doorstep have made sure some good comes from their heartache. Norman and Cathy Hawkes' 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier Misty was savaged by two bully-type dogs last month. She died from her injuries three days later. The pensioners were lost without their little sidekick. And so they have offered up their sofa to two elderly dogs from Perthshire rehoming charity PADS. The pair found themselves looking for new digs after their last owner was no longer able to care for them. Rosie is 10 and a Jack Russell, with a lot of similarities to Misty. Chichi is 11 and half-Chihuahua – so a lot of dog in a small package. Bonded pairs are hard to rehome, even more so when they're senior dogs. But Norman, 79, says the newcomers deserve a second chance. And their arrival has been a godsend for him and Cathy too. 'I think Misty would approve,' he told The Courier. Misty battled bravely to stay alive after she was mauled in her own garden on Sunday May 18. But her injuries were too much for her, and she died on the Wednesday. The two dogs involved in the attack in Pitlochry's Kennedy Place were destroyed. Norman, who was hurt himself and saw it all happen, says he and Cathy still desperately miss Misty and her funny little ways. But when they saw PADS appealing for people to rehome some of the dogs in its care, including a Jack Russell, they decided to open up their hearts again. 'The two of them have always been together, so we couldn't break them up,' he said. 'They've settled right in.' 'Rosie is a Jack Russell and some of the things she does really remind us of Misty,' he added. 'Chichi is a wee fatty, but we'll soon sort him out.' Norman says the couple are grateful to PADS for matching them up. And he urged anyone who's thinking about getting a dog to consider rehoming – and particularly an older dog. 'PADS does great work, so I'm glad we could help them,' he added. 'But it's good for us too. It's nice to have a dog around again. 'We'll never replace Misty, but it's helping.' Police Scotland say a 31-year-old man has been charged in connection with the Dangerous Dogs Act and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
