Partially sighted woman, 72, savaged by dogs in her own garden
A 72-year-old partially sighted woman was savaged by two dogs in her garden and suffered 'significant injuries' to her leg and arms, a court heard.
Dog owner Pam Cheadle was unaware of the attack until her son brought the dogs back to the house with 'blood on their mouths'.
Walsall Magistrates Court heard that Cheadle's Staffordshire Bull Terriers had got loose from her garden on October 10 last year and 'viciously attacked' the elderly woman while she was hanging out her washing.
One of the dogs had also bitten the gas man last year, Walsall magistrates heard.
Both dogs had gone missing following the attack but were ordered to be destroyed once found.
Victim, Susan Rowley, was left facing numerous injuries and had to have stitches and surgery for the 'deep wounds' on her leg and hands following the attack in her garden in Lawrence Street, Willenhall.
Cheadle, aged 52, was found guilty of owning and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
She was given a prison sentence of 12 weeks suspended for 12 months and 120 hours of unpaid work, alongside compensation and court costs totalling £1,225.
She was also disqualified from owning and possessing dogs for life. She had pleaded guilty to charges at an earlier meeting.
Mrs Rachael Smith, prosecuting, said: "Susan Rowley is a frail and partially sighted elderly lady who had to sustain this vicious attack.
"During the attack she spoke to the dogs to try and calm them until they eventually released her.
"The attack changed her life forever. Her garden was a place of refuge but this has now been shattered.
"When taken to New Cross hospital following the attack nurses were 'a-gasp' at her injuries with one commenting it was 'the worse dog bite I have ever seen'.
Cheadle, who is a catering assistant, had owned the dogs for two years prior to the attack.
She had one caution for possessing a dangerous dog following the attack on the gas man last year, but no previous convictions.
Mr Gregory Burke, defending, said: "She is an industrious and hard-working woman who has been a responsible dog owner in the past.
"She is genuinely remorseful for what has happened and wishes she could turn back the clock.
"On two occasions she has tried to apologise to the victim."
