Dog owner has to pay out compensation after his dog attacked two other pets in Sunderland
An ex-soldier’s out-of-control dog attacked two pooches being walked in Sunderland and cut an owner’s hand when she tried to intervene, a court heard.
David Bunch, 25, of Ilchester Street, Seaham, allowed his two brown pocket Bully dogs to escape from his partner’s property on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
While one played peacefully, the second attacked a Dachshund and a Bichon Frisé out with two women at Silksworth Lake, off North Moor Lane.
It sunk its teeth into both animals, leaving the Bichon Frisé, named Nova, requiring surgery, and Daisy, the Dachshund, with puncture wounds.
The animal also left one of the owner’s hands bloodied from contact when she tried to free her dog from its mouth.
Passers-by intervened and restrained Bunch’s dog, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.
When interviewed by police, Bunch claimed his partner must have left her gate ajar while putting out a bin.
But his dog has been returned to him, a factor a judge said showed he was otherwise a responsible pet owner.
However, the victim owners said the impact of the incident had been far-reaching on them and their animals.
Daisy’s owner said she was now anxious of being near a dog not on a lead and her pooch was more nervous of large dogs.
And Nova’s owner said “the incident has altered our lives completely“ and they no longer do the same walk.
Prosecutor Emily Hunt said: “They noticed the defendant’s two dogs who were not on leads and the defendant was not present.
“The male dog has then attacked both dogs, causing one to require surgery to stitch its wounds and the other sustained puncture wounds which needed to be cleaned.
“The dog has grabbed Nova in its mouth, and began to drag it around and the owner has attempted to help her dog.
“Her hand has gone into the defendant’s dog’s mouth, causing cuts to her fingers.
“Two members of the public helped and secured the dog to a lamppost, before police arrived.”
The court heard Nova required £879 of vet care and Daisy £179.
Bunch, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury.
Chris Wilson, defending, said: “The defendant believes his partner put out a wheelie bin and the back gate hadn’t been secured properly.
“His partner has gone to bed and unfortunately the dogs have managed to find their way out.
“He has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and has never sought to minimise this matter.
“The dogs are back in his care. There have been no further incidents, and this matter is now over a year ago.
“I think it speaks a thousand words when the dogs are returned to a responsible owner by Northumbria Police. It’s unfortunate injury was caused.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield told Bunch it was a telling factor the police had returned his dogs.
She sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay full compensation for the vet bills and £100 to the owner who suffered injury.