A man from Croydon in south London has avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to failing to ensure a dog’s welfare, after his dog fatally injured a woman.
Alex Blackburn-Smith, a former Paratrooper was sentenced to 150 hours community service and made to pay costs by Croydon Magistrates’ Court after narrowly avoiding a custodial sentence.
The court heard how the dog – a Neapolitan mastiff called Debo - was kept in led in part to the victim being attacked but was kept in a cage that was too small. It attacked Barbara Williams, 52, at her home in Wallington, Sutton. During the trial, Mr Blackburn-Smith admitted to owning a banned pit bull terrier.
Ms Williams suffered a severe haemorrhage to her head and neck when she was attacked and the dog was shot dead by police after the attack.
If you or anyone you know has been attacked by a dog or any other animal and the owner of the animal can be identified, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us today on 0800 612 7445 to find out if you have a claim.