A woman has been banned from owning dogs for ten years after she lost control of her two Rottweilers when they attacked three people including a nine-year-old girl.
Paula Hamilton, 51, wept in the dock of Minshull Street Crown Court as a judge ordered that she would not be allowed her dogs back.
In two separate incidents, her two Rottweilers attacked families who were either out walking their own dog, or waiting outside a shop.
In one incident, the dogs attacked a woman’s dog in Irlam in front of her daughter who was just six-years-old.
In another incident a month later, a woman was standing outside a Tesco Express with her two daughters, one of which was holding their dog, as they waited for their dad.
Again, Hamilton’s two dogs suddenly jumped up at the girl holding the dog, leaving her with scratches to her back.
She was later heard saying: “That’s what dogs do.”
Hamilton, of Salford, pleaded guilty to six offences of being an owner in charge of a dangerous dog and was today handed a 12 month community order.
She was also banned from owning dogs and told she couldn't have her own dogs back.
Her dogs have since been deemed safe and are eligible to be rehomed.
Prosecutor Mark Shanks said the first incident took place on March 26 last year at around 2.30pm when Katherine Crewe was walking her dog on a field behind Radford Drive with her six-year-old daughter.
Two Rottweilers came ‘aggressively bouncing over’ and started attacking her dog causing serious puncture wounds to her dog’s neck and face, it was said.
Ms Crewe also sustained pulled ligaments in her back trying to fend them off.
The incident was stopped by a bystander who drove a car at the dogs, the court heard.
On April 16, at around 4.30pm, Laura Gardener and her two daughters were waiting outside Tesco Express for her husband who went into the store.
“Her daughter, aged 9, picked up their dog, a Jack Russell Chihuahua Cross and held it in her arms,” Mr Shanks said.
“At this time the defendant was passing with her two dogs, both on leads but not muzzled.
“One of the defendant’s dogs then jumped up onto the girl’s back while growling aggressively.
“The second dog also jumped towards the girl.
“Mrs Gardener then jumped between her daughter and the dogs and held her in her arms to protect her while one of the defendant's dogs jumped on her back.”
Members of the public intervened as Mrs Gardener and her children moved away.
Hamilton’s dogs then fought with each other before she shouted that they were ‘harmless’, the court heard.
The girl was left with scratches to her back.
In a statement, Mrs Gardener said: “Since the incident I’m more concerned how it has affected my daughter as we are unable to enjoy our family walks with our dog Willow, as she becomes fearful, anxious and it always ends in tears in case the same thing happens again.
“When I’m out walking with her without the dog, and she sees a dog of a similar breed, she becomes nervous and wants to cross the road or stands behind me clinging to me till the dog passes us.”
The same day a police officer attended Hamilton’s address in order to seize the dogs - at one point one of the dogs jumped up at him causing a scratch to his right forearm.
The dogs have since been assessed as safe and ready for rehoming, the prosecutor said.
Sentencing her, Recorder Mark Rhind QC said “You were there, apparently drunk and unconcerned and you said words to the effect of “that’s what dogs do”.
“When her husband remonstrated with you about your dogs behaviour you became loud, abusive and were swearing.
“You were somewhat unconcerned about what happened to her and you didn’t do anything to express concern.”
It was said in her police interview that she told officers she would ‘kill her dogs’ if they attacked a child.
“You said you got the dogs for companionship and to help with your mental health but you have shown time and time again that you were unable and unwilling to look after them properly.”
Hamilton was disqualified from keeping dogs for a period of ten years and was told she will not be getting her two dogs back.
It was also said Hamilton’s case has cost £12,000 in fees.
The court did not make a destruction order.
Hamilton, of Linnet Drive, was handed a 12 month community order, 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and ordered to pay compensation of £98 to Ms Crewe and £200 compensation to the girl.
