Dog owner spared jail after pack bites off woman’s finger in attack

Philippa Wood was exercising her two King Charles Spaniels at Southowram Cricket Club, Halifax, in March when they were attacked by two Lurchers, Bradford Crown Court heard. Two Jack Russells also joined in the attack, before Miss Wood was able to pick up one of her dogs, Coco. But it was as she threw herself onto her other dog, Noddy, to protect him, that one of the dogs bit her finger, severing it at the knuckle.

The dogs’ owner, Ross Kyte, kicked and punched the animals in an effort to get them off.

In a victim impact statement, Miss Wood described how the pain in her finger was unbearable, but her main concern was for her pet dog which was lifeless, limp and had flesh hanging off him. Miss Wood was hospitalised after the attack, and Noddy died from his injuries.

She said she had been absolutely devastated by the loss of her dog and her self-esteem was at an all time low as a result of the permanent disfigurement to her finger.

Kyte, 25, of Whitegate Road, Siddal, receive an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted allowing his dogs to be dangerously out of control in a public place. He was ordered to pay Miss Wood £3,600 compensation and do 240 hours unpaid work.

Kyte gave away his dogs after the attack, and police were unable to trace them, after a man who took the two Jack Russells said he’d given them away after they killed his own dog.

Recorder Peter Babb also banned Kyte from having custody of any dog for the next two years.