Woman whose rottweilers mauled 82-year-old grandmother admits dangerous dogs charge
A woman whose rottweilers bit chunks out of an 82-year-old grandmother in a horrific attack, has admitted being the owner of dogs dangerously out of control.
Pensioner Margaret Langford was set upon by the two dogs as she walked down Ivy Road in Tipton on May 18 this year and was left badly injured.
They tore at her body while she lay defenceless face down on the ground.
She was taken to Russells Hall Hospital where she received treatment for a succession of injuries to her right arm, buttocks, left leg, chest and back. A chunk was ripped out from her right forearm, and a bite to her hip has also resulted in ongoing mobility difficulties.
Appearing before Sandwell Magistrates Court yesterday, the owner of the dogs, 47-year-old Marie Jane Parker of Ivy Road, Tipton, was in tears as she entered her guilty plea.
Prosecutor Mr Roger Blezard outlined how at 1.30pm the victim was walking down Ivy Road when she heard growling.
"Then two huge rottweilers jumped out, forcing her to the pavement. They proceeded to bite her, and she was screaming," he said.
Mr Blezard added that they would be looking for further details from police specialists regarding the two dogs, which have been with the force since the incident, in order to determine whether or not they would need to be destroyed.
Mrs Helen Pinning, defending, told the court how sorry Parker was.
"It is clear that it has caused a great deal of upset. My client is very close to the dogs," said Mrs Pinning.
"As seen in her interview, she feels very bad about how it has affected the health of the victim.
"She wanted to take flowers to her, but was told by police that she couldn't contact the victim as this would amount to witness intimidation. She is very sorry for what happened."
Mrs Langford's family said the savage attack has left her emotionally traumatised.
Her grandson Jack said: "She hasn't been the same since. About three weeks after it happened we managed to get her out of the house for the first time, but she saw a dog and was just trembling."
Asked how they felt about Parker's admission, Mr Langford, 24, added: "It is good to hear that the justice system is working, and that someone has been brought to court."
Due to the need for a pre-sentence report, as well as a report by police on the dogs, Parker's case has been adjourned for sentencing until July 12.
Parker remains on unconditional bail, and the fate of the dogs is still to be decided.
