'˜She is a good dog' - owner of Staffordshire Bull Terrier given '˜suspended death sentence' defends her pet after it attacked woman

The owner of a dog which has been given a '˜suspended death sentence' after attacking a woman says she feared magistrates would order that her beloved pooch be put down.
Laura Golden with dog LucyLaura Golden with dog Lucy
Laura Golden with dog Lucy

Laura Golden’s dog Lucy attacked the woman in Washington earlier this year.

The victim said the Staffordshire Bull Terrier caused puncture wounds to her legs and buttocks and wounds on her hands in the assault.

Laura Golden with dog LucyLaura Golden with dog Lucy
Laura Golden with dog Lucy
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As reported in the Echo, Laura, 24, of Rickleton Village Centre, admitted being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control when she appeared at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court.

The bench ordered that Lucy be kept muzzled and is securely held on a lead, by someone aged over 16, or she will be subject to destruction at the expense of the defendant.

But Laura today told the Echo that the June 24 incident was completely out of character for Lucy, who she claims had never previously been aggressive, and she has promised to keep her muzzled at all times from now on.

“I’ve been terrified that she would get put down,” said Laura.

Laura Golden with dog LucyLaura Golden with dog Lucy
Laura Golden with dog Lucy

“In all honesty, she is a good dog.

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“The day the attack happened she didn’t go straight for the woman.

“I was trying to apologise almost as soon as it happened.

“She’s always got her muzzle on now and in all probability this kind of thing won’t happen again.”

Laura Golden with dog LucyLaura Golden with dog Lucy
Laura Golden with dog Lucy

The court was told in a statement from the victim that she has been left “terrified” by the incident and “too scared” to walk her dogs in the area where she lives.

“The incident occurred four months ago and I’m still experiencing adverse effects,” said the woman in her statement.

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“I’m unable to take my child to the park and shops and I have severe pain in my right leg and I’m struggling to walk.”

Laura added that she has been left shaken herself by the incident, but wants to continue caring for Lucy.

Laura Golden with dog LucyLaura Golden with dog Lucy
Laura Golden with dog Lucy

“I’ve only had her since February after I got offered to keep her,” she said.

“I know the family who had her before `and they weren’t able to afford to keep her.

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“She could have been put down if they didn’t find someone to take her, but with me being a family friend and someone who knew her anyway, I didn’t want to see her go.

“Now, I just want to forget about the whole thing and move on from it.”

The bench ordered that Lucy be kept muzzled and is securely held on a lead, by someone aged over 16, or she will be subject to destruction at the expense of the defendant.

Laura was also fined £120 and was told to pay £100 compensation to the victim, £43 for the vet’s fees, and £85 costs.

“I don’t mind the financial penalties at all because I expected them,” she said.

“I pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and that’s that.”