Dog must be muzzled in public after delivery driver needed hospital treatment following attack

A Wearside pet owner has been ordered to keep her dog muzzled in public after it bit a delivery driver on his arms after escaping from her home.
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Anne Brown, 62, accidentally let the Labrador loose from her abode in Henry Street, Houghton, a court heard.

The six-year-old dog sunk its teeth into the man after he pulled up in the street and made his way to a neighbouring property, causing bleeding.

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Brown, who has no previous convictions, called for the animal in a bid to stop the attack and then went outside and dragged it away on Thursday, September 10.

Anne Brown, 62, accidentally let the Labrador loose from her abode in Henry Street, Houghton, a court heard.Anne Brown, 62, accidentally let the Labrador loose from her abode in Henry Street, Houghton, a court heard.
Anne Brown, 62, accidentally let the Labrador loose from her abode in Henry Street, Houghton, a court heard.

Magistrates in South Tyneside heard the dog had never before attacked and broke free when an internal security door blew open as Brown unlatched the front door.

They ordered the care worker to keep her dog muzzled and on a lead when outside and pay £200 compensation to the self-employed attack victim.

Prosecutor Ben Woodward said: “The injured party was working as a delivery driver and attended Henry Street.

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“He walked past her home and the dog went for him. It injured his left arm and his right arm.

“The defendant tried to get the dog to come back verbally, and she also dragged it.

“The injured party needed two trips to hospital and his wounds dressed, and he needed antibiotics and a tetanus jab.”

Magistrates heard the driver had lost £1,200 in income from having to take time off work to recover.

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Anna Metcalfe, defending, said: “She has been at the front door and the dog has bolted out. She has immediately tried to gain control of the dog.

“When she has been unable to do so verbally, she has gone out. She is absolutely mortified by this incident.

“She has explained that it is totally out of character for the dog to behave this way.”

Magistrates acknowledged Brown, who pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog, was of previous good character and the dog had not attacked before.

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They also fined her £166. There were no court costs or victim surcharge.

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