A DOG owner whose animal ran out of the house and attacked other pets twice “because it doesn’t like small dogs” has been fined £900.
Nicola Canavan (48) was told that her dog, Bruce, would not be destroyed – but must be muzzled when out in public.
The Magistrate’s Court heard that on the morning of 7 April Bruce, a Staffordshire bull terrier and Labrador cross, ran out of the front door of Canavan’s house in St Saviour and attacked a border collie being walked nearby.
The collie was left with two bite marks and its owner fell over and suffered a minor injury.
St Saviour Centenier Seamus Friel, prosecuting, said a similar incident took place one month later, on 7 May, when Bruce ran out of the front door and across the road to attack a shih tzu, which escaped with scratches.
Mr Friel said: ‘Ms Canavan is aware that Bruce doesn’t like small dogs. She walks him in quiet lanes to avoid any conflict.”
Canavan pleaded guilty to two charges of being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.
Advocate James Bell, defending, argued that Bruce need not be put down, saying: “The nuclear option is not called for.”
He said that on both occasions Bruce had got out of Canavan’s property because her lodger had not closed the front door properly, but she had now attached a new handle to the exterior to ensure it could be pulled shut firmly.
He added: “She takes her dog ownership very seriously, and she is a very capable dog owner.”
He pointed out that Bruce had never attacked humans, and said of the two incidents: “There were no major injuries.”
Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke agreed that Bruce did not need to be destroyed, but told Canavan that the animal should always wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead when out in public.
He said: “Proper control of a dog is essential.”
He imposed fines of £450 for each of the two offences and allowed her to pay at the rate of £150 per month.
