Former West Ham footballer Said Benrahma has been fined £12,000 after pleading guilty to two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs that attacked a golden retriever in July 2023.
The winger, who now plays for Saudi side Neom, owns two XL bullies.
He was handed the fine after the dogs escaped from his home and attacked the retriever in the street when he lived in Hornchurch, east London.
The golden retriever, named Bailey, was left needing vet treatment and his owner Luke Rehbin suffered grazes to his arms and legs after grappling with Benrahma's dogs on the ground, Willesden Magistrates' Court heard.
Benrahma, who spent four seasons with the Hammers, has regularly shared pictures of himself with the two dogs on social media.
He said the dogs escaped from a side gate which had been left open by someone working for him at the time.
The footballer appeared at court on Thursday by video link from a car in Saudi Arabia.
The Algerian joined West Ham from Brentford in October 2020 and scored 24 goals in 155 games for the club.
District Judge Matt Jabbitt said the incident must have been "very distressing" for the golden retriever's owner and fined Benrahma £5,000 for each of the attacks and ordered him to pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Rehbin plus £495 in kennel costs.
