A convicted dangerous dog owner whose pet savaged a spaniel and wounded her owner is running £100 courses – in canine first aid.
The attack was so vicious Victoria Capon got 10 months, suspended two years, and had to pay victim Julie Hayward £11,822 compensation.
Spaniel Layla, 12, ended up in intensive care after Capon’s two Staffordshire bull terriers pounced, grabbing her neck and tearing an ear off.
Horrified Julie, 44, suffered arm and leg gashes as she tried to drag the dogs off.
She is now stunned by what Capon does for a living.
“She has no right being near animals,” said NHS worker Julie. “I was screaming. People ran with brooms to beat the Staffies off. Layla’s scalp was torn to the bone, her ear hanging off.”
Julie’s partner Gary Vickers rushed them off for treatment. She needed three months off work after the ordeal in May.
Southampton Crown Court heard Staffies Oaken and Luna– being walked by 38-year-old Capon’s daughter – were involved in five other incidents, with local authorities ordering them muzzled.
Now it has emerged Capon runs a Dog First Aid franchise with partner Eddie Foote, promoting herself as a “trainer” and making up to £99 for four-hour Zoom “emergency canine care” courses.
She brags online of training with “registered Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons members”.
Julie, of Bishopstoke, Hants, said: “It beggars belief anyone would pay her to teach them how to care for dogs.”
The Staffies were confiscated and a further hearing will decide on a dog-owning ban. Asked about her suitability to offer the courses, Capon said: “It’s none of your business.”
