Dogs out of control in Stourbridge attack

A pensioner was bitten on both hands as she tried to fend off two dogs that were attacking her pet in a park, a court heard.

Maureen Jacomb, aged 77, screamed in pain during the "terrifying" attack, which left her dog Tess with serious bite injuries before a passer-by helped her, magistrates were told.

The two-year-old bichon frise cross died five days after the incident in Wollescote Park, near Stourbridge.

Mrs Jacomb received puncture bites to both hands, and bruising and scratch marks to her neck, Dudley Magistrates Court was told.

Peter Mihalyi, of Brook Crescent, Stourbridge, was found guilty of owning a dog that was dangerously out of control in a public place and caused injury, following a trial.

The 52-year-old had taken his dog Jack, a bull mastiff and pit bull terrier cross, out for a walk with two Brazilian-bred dogs called Pablo and Diesel that he was looking after for a friend.

Mrs Lynda Gudgeon, prosecuting, said Mihalyi released Jack off his lead in the park along with one of the other Brazilian-bred dogs on April 18 at around 10.45am.

Mrs Jacomb, giving evidence at the trial, said her dog was off the lead as they reached a bridge but she became apprehensive as she spotted the other dogs.

She claimed the two animals ran over to Tess and attacked her.

"It was terrifying. It is something I will never forget as long as I will live," Mrs Jacomb said.

She claimed Mihalyi did not do anything to help, adding: "I could not believe that someone would not lift a finger."

Eventually he hit Jack on the head with a lead or strap, she added.

Mr Harbinder Gahir, defending, said Mihalyi had not let Jack off the lead, with his client claiming Mrs Jacomb's dog had run over to him and started barking before a fight broke out. He also claimed her own dog could have caused her injuries.

Chairman of the bench Mr Christopher Smith dismissed Mihalyi's evidence saying he had not kept the dogs in his care under control.

Following the guilty verdict it emerged Mihalyi had admitted a separate matter of owning a dog that was dangerously out of control in a public place. The incident had taken place on April 27.

Sentencing was adjourned for reports.

By Andrew Turton