Dog to be destroyed after biting schoolboy

The pit bull-type dog left four puncture marks on the 15-year-old's thigh after grabbing hold of him immediately after he had been assaulted by another man.

The animal's owner, Elliott Fisher, told police later it acted on its own volition, jumping forward without any goading by him. He said he had to put his own hand in its mouth to make it let go suffering some injuries himself.

Sohail Khan, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday when police went to Fisher's address the dog was present and showed signs of aggression and they had to use pepper spray on it to control it.

Fisher, 19, of Sufton Street, Birkby, Huddersfield, admitted being in control of a dangerous dog and a subsequent charge of intimidating a witness.

Mr Khan said the victim was making his way back from a gym in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury with some friends when they saw another group on a basketball court and there was some conversation between them.

More men joined the other group including one who lunged at the schoolboy, punching him to the ground. He was subsequently prosecuted for assault.

As the complainant got to his feet, the dog who was on a leash held by Fisher suddenly grabbed the teenager's thigh.

Some days later the victim received a phone call telling him to drop his complaint "or he would be murdered".

Catherine Hollins, for Fisher, said rather than being put down he suggested the dog could wear a muzzle all the time or be rehomed.

But ordering the destruction of the dog, Judge Kerry Macgill said he was satisfied it was dangerous. He accepted that Fisher had psychiatric issues and imposed an 18 months supervision order with conditions of attending an enhanced thinking skills programme.