A man has been given a suspended jail sentence after his dog attacked a jogger. A court heard the Shar Pei type injured the runner in January 2021. At a hearing this week, Brian Dickson advised the court the dog is no longer in his possession and the judge ruled the pet was to be subject to an order ensuring it is permanently muzzled while in public.
Dickson was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates’ Court after a prosecution by Belfast City Council, the statutory powers responsible for dog-owning, BelfastLive reports. Dickson was convicted under Article 29 of The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983. The judge imposed a three-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to the injured jogger, along with court costs of £138 and an offender levy. The Shar Pei is an ancient guard dog breed of Chinese origin, noted in appearance for its deep wrinkles. The American Kennel Club, which helped save the breed from extinction in the 1970s, describes the Shar Pei as: "a fascinating but challenging breed of ancient pedigree - steadfastly loyal to family, but standoffish with strangers."
It adds: "They are suspicious of strangers and other dogs. Shar-Pei are serene dogs, but they will meet a perceived threat with tenacity and vigor. Early training and socialization are essential - a dominant adult Shar-Pei without them is a serious problem waiting to happen."
