A KILLAMARSH mum must pay compensation after a court heard how her dogs broke free and attacked two others.
Clare Smith was walking two dogs on leads in Green Lane when they were set upon by an American bulldog and two Alsatian dogs which ran from a garden.
“I was terrified. I was shouting and crying. It looked like they were savaging my dogs,” Ms Smith told police.
She said one of her dogs ran off and the trio continued to attack the other, named Holly.
“They were tearing at Holly who was pinned to the floor and being thrown around like a rag doll,” stated Ms Smith.
Andrea Charity, prosecuting, told Chesterfield magistrates that some men came out of a pub to help.
A bowl of water was thrown at one dog and another was kicked but the attack only ended when the bulldog, named Stella, was hit with a stick.
“The complainant said she had to carry Holly home and she was covered in blood. The attack that caused the injury was mainly by one dog,” said Mrs Charity, adding that Holly was taken to a vet and required stitches.
Julie Memmory, 49, of Green Lane, Killamarsh, admitted being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control on March 2.
She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £402 compensation for veterinary treatment, with £85 costs.
“This could have been a really nasty incident because people intervening could have been hurt,” said Deputy District Judge Miller.
He decided not to order that Stella be destroyed but he ruled that the dog must be kept securely within the curtilage of Memmory’s home and only be taken out of it on a lead.
“She was at work and her son, who is in his late 20s, was at the address. The dogs normally have the run of the garden and have never escaped before.
“She can’t explain why the gate was open and she has since ensured that it is kept locked,” said Jon Barber, for Memmory.
He added: “One of the dogs has since been put down. The other two are still with her and Stella is ten years old. She says they are timid and placid.”
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