Staffies snatched pet and killed it, court told

A dog was killed when he was attacked by two other dogs while out walking, a court heard. Buster the Yorkshire Terrier was killed by Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossbreeds Duke and Sampson, owned by Michael Thompson.

Thompson pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday to two counts of owning a dog which was dangerously out of control in public.

In a statement read out in court, Buster's 69-year-old master Morris McVeigh said: "We all love our dogs and Buster did nothing wrong. This was an unprovoked attack and now my dog is dead. Buster will truly be missed," he added.

The court heard how Mr McVeigh was walking Buster and his other Yorkshire Terrier Ben in Clarendon Street, Chapel Ash, on July 13.

While walking, Duke and Sampson ran over to Mr McVeigh and his dogs, Mrs Suki Rai, prosecuting, told the court.

Mr McVeigh held Buster and Ben above his head to try to prevent the dogs from getting mauled as the two animals jumped up him, pushing him further into the road.

One of the dogs grabbed Buster in his mouth, while the second dog got Ben who later managed to break free and run away.

Mouths

Both then turned their attention to Buster, pulling him out of Mr McVeigh's hands and running away with him in their mouths.

The pet was later found dead.

Mr Martin McNamara, defending, said Thompson, aged 36, of Compton Road, in Chapel Ash, accepted Sampson and Duke had somehow got out of his home.

He added that Thompson claims someone may have tampered with his gates, which normally had things pushed against them to stop the dogs from escaping.

Thompson was at home at the time of the attack and was unaware the dogs had broken free.

Magistrates ordered reports to be made and warned Thompson he is facing a community penalty.

He has been granted unconditional bail to reappear before city magistrates on July 29 for sentencing.

The court will also decide whether the dogs should be destroyed.

By Catherine Dalton