Dog without a lead bit man's hand as he tried to help cat

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Monday, December 31, 2012
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Grimsby Telegraph

A DOG caused nasty injuries to a man – and killed a cat – during a frightening incident after it ran into a garden, Grimsby magistrates heard.

It bit the man's hand, causing a puncture wound, while he was making frantic efforts to rescue the cat.

Daniel Merriman, 26, of Victor Street, Grimsby, admitted being in charge of the dog when it caused problems on March 12.

The incident happened when the dog ran into a private garden in Bodiam Way, Grimsby.

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The court heard that Merriman was temporarily in charge of the dog for a friend – but the animal was not on a lead.

Merriman was distracted and apparently talking to someone in the street when the dog spotted the cat in the garden.

It started barking at the gate, which was not closed properly, and it managed to get inside.

The dog ran inside and attacked the cat, called Poppy, which tried to escape by jumping over a fence, the court heard.

The dog grabbed hold of the cat as it did so. Merriman went into the garden and got hold of the dog. Jordan Musson went outside from the house to try to help.

The dog bit him on the hand, causing a puncture wound, as he tried to help the cat.

The cat was taken to the vet's but later died, the court heard.

Steven Freestone, mitigating, said the dog did not belong to Merriman and he took it for a walk as a favour for his friend. He had not been given a lead but it had never caused any problems before.

There had been no reason for Merriman to be concerned and no problems had been caused to people in the street, said Mr Freestone.

Unemployed Merriman was given a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £500 compensation.

No orders could be made concerning having the dog destroyed or being kept under proper control because Merriman was not the owner.

Merriman originally denied the offence but later changed his plea.

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  • Profile image for baileykix

    by baileykix

    Wednesday, April 10 2013, 1:32PM

    “All dogs should be on a lead when they're outside. Not only does it prevent attacks like this... I've seen too many hit and runs to say otherwise.”

  • Profile image for CarlRobertson

    by CarlRobertson

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 10:09PM

    “This is one reason all dogs that I walk are always kept on a lead till I get to know them properly and only then do they get put onto a training lead (Police style dog lead) untill I know they will come back to me when called and that all is safe. More owners should do the same and if no lead then no walk for the dog end of.”

  • Profile image for Fitties1

    by Fitties1

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 9:48PM

    “Im a keyboard warrior........hehehe

    Just goes to show what SBT owners are like.....”

  • Profile image for clivespanner

    by clivespanner

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 7:03PM

    “Fitties chimp,
    I want to know if youve ever owned a Staffie, or indeed any dog? If you cannot tell the difference between a good dog and a bad dog just by looking at their behaviour, what do you think qualifies yourself to enter any sort of opinion on here? I myself have lived with three Staffies in my life, plus an English bull Terrier and a Labrador/Alsatian cross. I have never known a better dog than a bull terrier and that is purely down to my father training the first three and the methods i learnt from him to train my own. I dont care how many cases are reported stating the dog in question was a staffie that attacked some person/dog/cat etc. I know my dog. You are a classic example of a keyboard warrior, sitting in your tin tent on the fitties, moaning about these animals. Nobody on here is interested in your opinions any more, you are only rolling out the same old boring statuses and trying to establish an ally to back your case. It would be counter productive, for the plight of staffies, in the face of such ill informed prejudice, to say i would love to hear how a deranged killer staffie did indeed 'rip your face off' as you love to relentlessly quote in your stauses, but f*ck that would cheer me up no end! And that would definatley qualify the beast as a 'good 'un' !”

  • Profile image for VoltaAmp

    by VoltaAmp

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 4:56PM

    “by Fitties1

    Tuesday, January 1 2013, 12:49PM

    Rather than getting childish by calling me names, why dont you answer my question? How do I differentiate between a good un and a bad un?

    Fitties1 kettle pot black here! How do YOU differentiate between a holiday lease and residential lease? Oh, nearly forgot, Happy New Year !!!”

  • Profile image for davendogs

    by davendogs

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 3:42PM

    “Fitties, you may have started off allright but you stuffed it at the end.”

  • Profile image for Fitties1

    by Fitties1

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 11:26AM

    “So everyone, here is the definitive answer as to how to recognise a bad SBT
    (according to Clivespanner- self appointed expert)

    To differentiate between a 'good un and a bad un', follow these steps:
    1) Place hand in subjects mouth
    2) If jaw tightens and pain ensues, consider subject 'bad un'
    3) If jaw remains loose and tongue extends in an up and down motion and hand becomes wet, consider subject a 'good un'

    In other words...........If it doesnt rip your face off its a good un

    With that in mind, the only real solution to this problem is to put the SBT on the dangerous dogs list.”

  • Profile image for davendogs

    by davendogs

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 8:03AM

    “Theres an awfull lot of rubbish on here. First off, understand your animals. All have traits, you should be aware of this. All you stafordshire bashers haven't a clue of the true nature of these dogs. They are known as the nanny dog. Don't blame the breed because of some loons who, well, are chav idiots who think they have a tough cookie and they are alpha.”

  • Profile image for clivespanner

    by clivespanner

    Wednesday, January 02 2013, 3:06AM

    “Ok, Fitties 1, here goes:
    To differentiate between a 'good un and a bad un', follow these steps:
    1) Place hand in subjects mouth
    2) If jaw tightens and pain ensues, consider subject 'bad un'
    3) If jaw remains loose and tongue extends in an up and down motion and hand becomes wet, consider subject a 'good un'

    My 'name calling' was not intended to be an insult, merely an observation of your outstanding stupidity.”

  • Profile image for sondog

    by sondog

    Tuesday, January 01 2013, 2:27PM

    “lol fighting like cats n dogs”

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