'Dangerously out of control' German Shepherd leaps out of garden and mauls woman

09 November 2023 , 16:05

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The woman was bitten as she walked along Manor Square, Winsford (Image: Google)

A woman was attacked by a "dangerously out of control" German Shepherd that jumped over a garden fence and bit her.

Dog owner Ian Ladley, from Winsford, appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court where it was heard that he ignored the shouts from the victim and made no attempt to control the two aggressive dogs during the incident in Manor Square on June 17.

The 39-year-old woman had been walking with her daughter when she noticed two German Shepherds barking and snapping at her in a rear garden before one of the dogs jumped over the fence and bit her upper arm. Ladley, aged 50, was also in the garden but despite the woman shouting that she had been bitten, he allegedly did not respond or try to control his dogs.

The woman sought safety at a friend's nearby house. She suffered minor injuries and later went to a local hospital for treatment. Ladley has pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog, reported CheshireLive.

Ladley was ordered to complete 80 hours community service as well as costs and compensation. The judge also placed a contingent destruction order on the dog which means that it must wear a muzzle when outside the house and must also be controlled by a person over the age of 16 at all times. Failure to do this could result in the dog being destroyed.

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Police Constable Paul Gilchrest, of Northwich local policing unit, said: "Over recent months we've seen a number of incidents across the country where people have died or suffered serious injuries after being attacked by dogs. Thankfully on this occasion the victim escaped with just minor injuries, however the outcome could have been far worse.

"I hope that this case acts as a reminder of the importance to control your dogs at all times, including when at home. Just because the animals are in your house or garden, doesn't mean that you are not responsible for their actions."

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Tim Hanlon