Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner fined after guide dog attack

Warren James was in Lichfield city centre on July 5 when his Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacked an assistance dog, a Golden Retriever Cross, biting the left side of the dog's back.

The assistance dog was being used by a man from Longdon, near Rugeley, who has lost about 95 per cent of his vision.

James, formerly of Willenhall but now of Heather Dale, Birmingham, had left his dog and another, which he was looking after for a friend, with a passer by.

She had offered to look after them while he went into a bank on Market Street at about 12.45pm when she saw him tying them up.

James, aged 28, had initially taken the dogs into the bank before being told by a cashier they were prohibited in there.

Prosecutor Andrew Bodger told Cannock Magistrates' Court that the assistance dog has suffered a break to its skin and bleeding. It was taken to vets after the attack with the minor injuries.

Defending James, Patrick Currie said he had voluntarily attended a police interview immediately after the 'very unfortunate' attack and had taken full responsibility for what had happened.

Mr Currie told James that since the attack, James has given his pet away.

James had admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury to an assistance dog.

Magistrates fined him £40 and he must pay the injured dog's owner £100 in compensation. He must also pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £30.