Owner of attack dog given jail sentence

A woman whose Japanese Akita dog attacked her neighbour, leaving her needing 14 stitches was today starting a 12-week prison sentence.

Nicole Smith's dog, called Munch, launched its attack in the communal area of a block of flats on Bloxwich Road South, Willenhall, where victim Elizabeth Smith also lived. She had been leaving her flat with her own two Staffordshire bull terriers when the attack happened. The 22-year-old defendant denied it ever took place but was found guilty after a trial, in which the victim told how her injuries left her in pain even now when she bends her arm.

Walsall magistrates yesterday handed Smith a 12-week jail term, ordered her to pay £1,000 compensation and disqualified her from keeping dogs for five years.

Mr Nick Baker, prosecuting, also asked the court that Munch be destroyed as a dog which had been dangerously out of control.

Mrs Sheila Hicklin, defending, however said her client had sold the dog for £250 cash to a Handsworth man who planned to use it to breed.

As the dog was not neutered, he was not chipped and could not be traced as it was also a cash transaction. District Judge Michael Morris took a dim view of the sale. Sentencing Smith, he told her: "You have in fact got rid of this dog, and you've done it for financial gain. You received money for selling on a dog that injured somebody and left them needing 14 stitches.

"Those are not the actions of someone who shows remorse for their actions.

"It is therefore inevitable you are going into custody."

Mrs Hicklin earlier told the court Smith had no previous significant criminal convictions and was apprehensive about the prospects of jail. The destruction order could not be made for Munch because of difficulties tracing the dog.