Ipswich Crown Court

Ipswich: Dog owner tells court victim’s dog lunged at his three pets

BY JANE HUNT Wednesday, January 11, 2012
7:36 AM

FELIXSTOWE: A dog owner whose three Staffordshire cross breeds allegedly mauled another dog has claimed the other dog “lunged” at his pets.

Robert Hanks told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court he had been a dog owner for 35 years and regarded his dogs Boo, Tiggy and Soup as his family.

The court heard that on July 23 last year he was returning to his home in Ferry Road, Felixstowe, when his neighbour Shirley Danyish’s Staffordshire bull terrier lunged at his dogs. The 40-year-old said as a result of previous incidents between he and Miss Danyish, and their dogs, a 6ft fence had been put up between their gardens.

Hanks told the court during the incident his dog Boo wriggled free of her collar.

“I had no choice other than to keep the two dogs already out of the fight away from the fight,” said Hanks. “I believe I did the right thing as the owner of more than one dog to keep the other two away.”

He said Boo “retaliated” and overpowered the smaller dog, named Munchkin.

Hanks told the court he found Boo with a puncture wound on the jowl, a couple of holes in the top of her head and one in her ear while Soup had puncture wounds on the nose, legs and chin.

He said he assumed the injuries had been caused by Munchkin.

Hanks has denied being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control in Gosford Way, Felixstowe.

Care assistant, Miss Danyish, who lost part of a finger as she tried to rescue her dog from the alleged attack by Hanks’ dogs, told the court that the three dogs had “ripped into” Munchkin.

“They were tearing into her. It was like something out of a wildlife programme. It was horrendous,” she said.

She told the court her dog had been taken to the vet and spent the night on a drip after needing stitches in a number of wounds.

The trial continues today.

Latest News See all

5 comments

Wasn't it the Staffy that was attacked?!?! I also have a Staff and he's brilliant with our children. Each to their own!!

Report this comment

Grotts

Thursday, January 12, 2012
I disagree with that comment saying all staffys should be muzzled, its not really about the breed type its about how the dog is treated! I have a staffy and she is the most friendly well behaved dog we've had.. ever since she was young she loved seeing new people.

Report this comment

Gabrielle Steward

Thursday, January 12, 2012
Janet, it was the Staffy that was attacked!! I am also a Staffy owner and he has been attacked 3 times, twice by Labradors and once by a Collie. Think the moral of the story is 'don't judge a book by it's cover!'

Report this comment

Grotts

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Sounds to me a good idea if all staffys are muzzled, I wouldn't be so wary then when I take my two little ones out.

Report this comment

janet essex

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I am always suspicious of people who say their dogs are like family. It is humanly impossible for a human to give birth to a dog so it is not a relation.

Report this comment

sue douglas

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

More news

Click here to find out more about our e-editions & iPad App