Couple bitten by pet dog during brawl

A DOG which attacked a man and woman during a fight between two couples has been spared from being destroyed.

But magistrates warned its owner that it will be put down if it is not kept under control.

The incident happened when dog owner Stephanie Murphy, of Devon Street, Werneth, and her boyfriend, Martin Peart, were walking the Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Marvy along Norfolk Street, in Werneth, on June 20.

They met Murphy’s brother and his girlfriend, who were sitting on a wall with friends, and a brawl broke out — with Murphy fighting Kirsty Scanlon and Peart clashing with James Murphy, Oldham magistrates heard yesterday.

The dog, which was not on a leash, bit Ms Scanlon on her right arm twice and then her ear. She blacked out for a short while.

Mr Murphy managed to get the dog away from his girlfriend, but was bitten on the back of his head. It then tried to bite Ms Scanlon, before biting the back of Mr Murphy’s head once again.

Their friends were able to get the dog away and Murphy and Peart walked away, before Murphy ran back towards her brother and began to beat him again, and the fighting resumed between the four.

Mr Murphy and Ms Scanlon needed hospital treatment for their injuries.

Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, said: “It’s a sad case really. There is some history in the past with the families. The dog then became embroiled.”

Toni McCann, defending, explained that there was no report from the RSPCA, who were satisfied that the dog was being looked after.

She said: “They are both adamant that the dog doesn’t behave in this manner. They’re both terribly upset at the thought that the dog might be destroyed.

“Murphy was attacked in her flat last year, the dog provides comfort for her, she’s quite scared to remain there without the dog.”

Murphy (26) was found guilty by Oldham magistrates at an earlier hearing of three charges of assault and allowing an out-of-control dog to cause injury.

Peart (46) was found guilty of intimidating Mr Murphy, and trying to persuade him on several occasions to drop the charges.

Magistrates ordered Murphy to pay £50 compensation towards the victims, £100 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. She was given a probation order for six months with alcohol treatment.

Peart, also of Devon Street, was given a two-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a six-month community order with alcohol treatment and told to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £100 costs.

Sentencing them, magistrate Graham Eckersall said: “We’re giving you a chance, the pair of you. If you blow it you are going to prison.

“We’re making a dog control order. Keep it under control, which you should already do, and if you don’t keep it under control then the dog will be destroyed.”