[A] DOG sentenced to death for dangerous behaviour in Whitehaven will be destroyed after its owner lost a crown court appeal.
Gus, an eight-year-old Jack Russell, was earmarked for destruction following a magistrates’ court hearing in November. Owner Susan Goodfellow, 62, admitted three offences of being a person in control of a dog which was dangerously out of control on three separate dates last March.
On the first occasion, a male was bitten and injured by the Jack Russell close to Goodfellow’s home in Whitehaven’s New Street. Days later the dog repeatedly lunged at another man and grabbed his trousers, and the pet was also out of control when police came calling on March 29.
Goodfellow, was handed a community order, and a ruling was made that the dog should be destroyed. An appeal made against the destruction was heard at Carlisle Crown Court today (FRI) but dismissed by Recorder John Corless, sitting with two magistrates.
They heard suggestions that the dog could be looked after safely by the former partner of Goodfellow’s son.
But after hearing evidence, Recorder Corless concluded: “The court is quite satisfied in this instance that the dog represents a danger (to public safety).”
Goodfellow was also ordered to pay £330 costs.