Dog bite leaves Cannock man needing 18 stitches
A dog owner told a neighbour his pet did not bite before the animal sank its teeth into the other man's face, causing injuries which needed 18 stitches, a court heard.
Phillip Armishaw's Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Sunny ran out of his home in March before attacking neighbour Craig Ward, Cannock magistrates heard.
Mr John Peel, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Ward saw Armishaw, aged 58, also known as Pip, calling the dog to get back in the house, in Ascot Drive, Cannock.
"Mr Ward said Pip told him 'he doesn't bite – can you pick him up and bring him here?'," Mr Peel said.
"Because of this he picked him up. The dog then bit his face. Mr Ward could then feel the warmth of blood around his mouth.
"Due to his injuries Mr Ward had to go to New Cross Hospital, he required 18 stitches to his face. He was told he may have scarring as a result of the attack."
But Mr Neil Gerrity, defending, who claimed his client merely told Mr Ward to keep the dog where it was, not to pick it up.
"As far as my client's concerned, what he said was 'keep him there, he won't bite'," Mr Gerrity told magistrates.
"He didn't ask the man to pick it up."
Armishaw admitted being a person in charge of a dog which was allowed to be dangerously out of control in a public place and cause injury.
The court heard the dog was out for four to five minutes and added the owners now plan to re-home the animal, taking it back to kennels in Featherstone, partly down to the fact they are now moving into a bungalow.
The case was adjourned until July 18 when Armishaw will be sentenced.
