Oldham man walks free in dog-bite case

A DOG that bit a councillor in Wales has been granted a stay of execution — and its Oldham owner spared jail.

Former security guard Michael Butler (51), of Hollins Road, admitted to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in public when he appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court.

He was handed a three-month prison term, suspended for 12 months, as well as a two-month curfew order and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

Sentencing, Judge Merfyn Hughes QC said he was satisfied the dog, an eight-year-old German Shepherd called Fred, did not constitute a danger to the public and did not order its destruction.

But he warned Butler if the dog attacked another person or animal it would be destroyed.

Two juries heard the charge followed an incident in Gower Street, Trefriw, on October 31, last year, when Conwy county councillor Emlyn Thomas was bitten on the leg by the dog.

The judge said: “Mr Thomas, who was doing nothing more than carrying out his duties as a county councillor, was bitten in the thigh very close to his femoral artery.

“You were parked within a short distance of a children’s playground. Fortunately, the injuries were not to a young child.”

The judge ordered the dog to be muzzled at all times in public and kept on a chain no longer than 4ft in length.

The first trial last week was halted after Butler sacked his barrister.

After the prosecution case was heard before a fresh jury on Monday, Butler decided to change his plea to guilty.

Mr Thomas said he had spotted Butler’s van parked near the recycling bins at Trefriw.

He believed he was camping at the spot which is contrary to a local bylaw.

He said he intended to speak to Butler and was approaching the van when the dog leapt out from a side door in the vehicle and bit him on the leg.

The 74-year-old, who is Plaid Cymru councillor for the Conwy Valley village, said the incident had been shocking and left him very frightened.

He suffered injuries to his right leg which needed hospital treatment.

After the hearing, Butler insisted the dog was harmless.

He said: “Fred wouldn’t harm a fly.”