'I want justice for my gentle dog' Tipton man tells judge after representing himself over alleged attack by his 'XL Bully' in Tipton
A Tipton man is defending himself and the honour of his beloved pooch after denying she was an illegal XL Bully who attacked a man and his dog in June.
Daniel Birch, of Bagnall Street, Tipton pleaded not guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to being owner of a dog who caused injury whilst out of control in a public place.
Birch's dog allegedly attacked a man and his dog at a petrol station on Gospel Oak Road in Tipton on June 9, this year. Birch was arrested and his dog was seized by the West Midlands Police.
Refusing legal counsel Birch, 37, ignored advice by Recorder Rachel Brand KC to get a solicitor to represent him in a forthcoming trial.
He said: "I'm defending myself. She is not an XL Bully. . I do not want to hire a lawyer I am going to represent myself. She is so gentle, I want justice for my dog."
On June 9, this year, a man and his dog were attacked at ESSO, Petrol Station, on Gospel Oak Road. The man required hospital treatment and claims Birch lost control of his dog, which police later identified as an XL Bully.
The cross-breed was outlawed last year after a spate of attacks on members of the public including when Ian Price was mauled to death in Stonnall, Stafffordshire.
Birch vehemently denied the dog is an XL Bully claiming he has evidence from the vet. He said: "I've got the evidence here."
Recorder Rachel Brand KC said: "The charge is dog was dangerously out of control, whether she is or not an XL Bully, and I accept there is an issue whether it is an XL Bully, that is not the point of this case.
"You have the right to defend yourself, but it would be a lot easier if you had a lawyer to represent you. I wonder if it would help you to have a lawyer who would advise you the best way to get this evidence. Do you want me to give you time to get a lawyer, you can walk into any high street solicitors and ask them if they will take this case, are you sure you want to go ahead."
Birch replied from the dock: "I am a hundred per cent that I want to defend myself."
Birch's trial has been listed for three days on August 17, 2026. He was ordered to return to court on October 13 for case management hearing where he will need to respond to evidence which will be used in the case including bodycam footage from the arresting officer.
