CONVICTED (2024) | John George Pickering, born 29 May 1973, of Eastwood Road, Normanby, Middlesbrough TS3 9NR – allowed his two XL bullies to attack a husky on a public beach, causing near-fatal injuries.
Violent career criminal and would-be backyard breeder Pickering was jailed after his two XL bullies nearly tore a husky apart.
Prosecutor Annelise Haugstad said police were called to Redcar beach on February 5, 2023, after reports two very large dogs had brutally attacked a husky, called Naevia.
The incident happened just after 3pm when dog owner Marie Hay was walking Naevia with her daughters.
Pickering and his now ex-partner, Nikki Banks, who was also initially charged, were also on the beach with the two XL bullies when they launched an attack on the beloved pet.
Ms Haugstad said: “Naevia was being walked on a lead when the owner of the XL bullies released them from his vehicle without any leads or forms of restraint. They raced on to the beach.
“When they came within five metres, the defendant called them ‘friendly’ and she [Naevia’s owner] responded ‘likewise’. The two dogs then approached making a snorting noise causing the husky to jump out of the way. One of them then lunged to attack.”
The court heard Pickering tried to “bear hug” the attacking dog, but there was nothing to restrain it and the second XL bully jumped in.
“The husky was on its back with one dog at its throat and the other at its chest,” Ms Haugstad said.
Beachgoers tried to intervene but the dogs were too strong.
The XL bullies then started to attack each other as they were being separated from Naevia, and Pickering managed to get them into his car before making off from the scene.
Ms Haugstad said: “When police arrived members of the public were shouting at the owners of the two attacking dogs that were driving away from the scene.
“Police caused the vehicle to stop – and the driver of the vehicle was the defendant, and the passenger was his then partner.
“There were two teenage girls in the rear of the vehicle and two very large dogs in the boot. Both dogs had cropped ears – a mutilation not permitted.”
Naevia was left with catastrophic injuries and lost 83 per cent of her blood, leaving her owner with a huge vet bill.
Thanks to multiple surgeries, a blood transfusion, intensive care and the kindness of strangers who donated to a GoFundMe campaign, Naevia was able to reunite with her family.
Following the attack, Pickering and Banks were charged with being the “owners/people in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury” and were due to face trial.
Prior to the hearing Pickering changed his plea to guilty – while a not guilty verdict was recorded for his former partner.
In mitigation, the court heard the dogs were not illegal at the time and Pickering had taken them to the beach previously without any incident. His barrister said he planned to breed from the dogs.
The court also heard the defendant has had “tragic circumstances” in his life.
The defendant’s son, Steven Willis, was murdered by members of his extended family and he turned to drugs and alcohol.
The court heard his relationship broke down and he became homeless, however, has always been in work in the scaffolding industry.
Sentencing, Recorder Hawks said: “I’m satisfied your purpose in owning these dangerous and highly unpredictable animals was that you were excited by the fact that owning them and taking them out in public was likely to frighten other people. The fact that you told me you were intending to breed from them makes matters worse.
“You must have known that if anything untoward happened with those dogs either in your own home or in public the size and power of them was such that you were never going to be able to control them. They are inherently dangerous animals.
“Within a matter of minutes they attacked a husky dog, someone’s cherished pet and nearly tore it to death. This was all witnessed by members of the public and little children who were no doubt terrified and will be traumatised for life after witnessing such a savage and despicable incident.”
The court heard the two XL bullies have been destroyed.
Sentencing | jailed for two years. Banned for life from having any other animals in his care,