Dog to be put down

Woman had stitches to face after attack by bull terrier
MAGISTRATES have ordered a Staffordshire bull terrier that attacked a woman to be put down.

Owner Lisa Eyres, of Whetstone Hill Road, Derker, was walking her dogs, Meg and Coco, in Ripponden Road, Watersheddings on February 5.

As they walked towards Elaine Howarth, Meg got hold of Mrs Howarth’s scarf and pulled her to the ground, then despite being on a lead bit her face causing serious injuries.

Eyres immediately tried to pull Meg away from Mrs Howarth and called an ambulance and a nearby resident tried to stop the blood with a tea towel.

John Perris, prosecuting, said: “The incident happened very quickly. Meg went for Mrs Howarth’s scarf that was flapping in the wind. The weight of the dog pulled Mrs Howarth to the ground and that is when Meg bit her.

“She put her hands to her face and saw they were covered in blood and she became hysterical and started screaming. Mrs Howarth is now terrified of dogs and crosses the road to avoid them.”

Eyres, who has two children, said: “Meg has never done anything like this before. It all happened so quickly. I’m extremely sorry for what happened to Elaine. “I put muzzles on both dogs when I take them out now and I never let them off their lead.”

Eyres admitted being in charge of a dog and allowing it to be dangerously out of control in a public place and cause injury.

Oldham magistrates decided to enforce a destruction order for five-year-old Meg as they felt the risk of her doing something like this again was too great. Eyres was also fined £250 and ordered to pay £300 compensation.