'Terrifying' dog mauling left factory worker needing surgery
A terrified factory worker was mauled and left covered in blood by an English bull terrier that had escaped from its owner.
The victim was left with bite marks all over his body and required surgery and a cast on his calf.
Paramedics were then stopped from helping Christopher Thompson by another one of Craig Humpage's dogs, Cannock Magistrates Court heard.
Humpage, aged 33, from Holden Crescent, Walsall, pleaded guilty to being the owner in charge of two dangerous dogs out of control, one of which caused injury and one that did not.
The court heard how Mr Thompson had been working at Showpla Plastics in Landywood Lane, Walsall, when Humpage's two dogs, Billy and Saskia ran from him at a nearby scrapyard.
Billy bit Mr Thompson, while Saskia ran riot outside, stopping paramedics getting into the building to help him, the court heard.
Prosecutor Mr Tony Birchall said: "The injured party suffered bite wounds. It was about 3am, and the defendant was at a nearby scrapyard when the dogs escaped and ran off.
"They both ran to the Showpla Plastics factory in Landywood Lane.
"The male dog made its way into the factory premises, while the female remained outside. The male dog approached Mr Thompson and started biting him.
"The dog got hold of Mr Thompson's glove with its teeth and dragged him down before sinking its teeth into his stomach.
"Then it bit the back of his leg and wouldn't let go. Mr Thompson tried to walk to somewhere to get a colleague's attention, with the dog still attached to his leg.
"A colleague of Mr Thompson's came to help, and tried hitting the dog with a broom to get him free.
"They went to the canteen, where Mr Thompson's colleague got the dog off him by grabbing its shoulders, before getting Mr Thomspon out of the room and leaving the dog there."
Mr Birchall added: "Mr Thompson's described the pain as 10 out of 10, and was screaming in agony. He was bleeding heavily after the attack, which lasted five to 10 minutes."
He added: "In his victim statement he said he was 'terrified' and 'scared to death'. He didn't think the dog would let go at all."
Humpage's sentence was deferred until March 15.
