Dogs out of control (From Stroud News and Journal)

Dogs out of control

TWO dogs owned by the former chairman of a dog obedience club were ruled to be 'dangerously out of control' by Stroud magistrates on Friday.

Jeanette Larner, 42, was told her two German Shepherd cross dogs, Bella and Zeus, had terrified fellow dog walkers and their animals in a string of incidents stretching from May last year until March 2002.

The court heard how Larner, a dog owner for 25 years and one time chairman of the Stonehouse Dog Training Club, had gained a 'reputation' in the popular dog walking area of Stinchcombe Hill, because of her uncontrollable animals.

Following a two day trial, magistrates ruled that Zeus and Bella had caused a 'reasonable apprehension' in other dog owners that they may be attacked.

They also found that Zeus had behaved dangerously in an attack on a dog on March 29, 2002.

A fourth charge brought under the dangerous dogs act was not proved.

The first attack by Bella and Zeus was on May 24, 2001 when the two dogs charged across Kingshill Lane, Dursley, dragging Larner behind in a bid to attack a Jack Russell dog owned by Michelle Williams.

The court heard how Mrs Williams, who had a 13 week old baby with her at the time, had to hold the animal at chest height in an attempt to save it from harm.

Following the attack the dog required veterinary treatment to one of its legs but Larner of Bramble Drive, Dursley insisted in court that the injury was present before the incident.

Around a month later the two dogs surprised a couple as they walked on Stinchcombe Hill and attacked their pet dog Oxo.

Just three days later the pair again attacked a small pet dog owned by John Hall as he walked on Stinchcombe Hill.

Speaking of the incident, Larner said her dogs could not have inflicted the injuries. "Bella does not bite and Zeus was muzzled at the time" she told the court.

Following the incident Larner had Bella rehomed.

The court also heard how in March this year Duncan Harper's dog was attacked by Zeus in Dursley.

Summing up,Dr Maxwell said that although Zeus and Bella had not attacked a human they had caused them to fear imminent violence.

The case was adjourned until September 13 for a pre-sentence report to be carried out.