CONVICTED (2024) | Jordan Smith, born c. 1992, of Dunton Towers, Northumberland Road, Brinnington, Stockport SK5 8NR – allowed his abused off-lead Cane Corso crossbreed dog to attack an elderly terrier, causing fatal injuries.
Shortly before the attack, Smith was seen kicking his dog, Nala, in an ‘aggressive way’. When he took her downstairs, without a lead, ran off and headed for nearby Reddish Vale Country park. There she attacked 13-year-old Yorkie/poodle crossbreed, Harry, who was being walked by his owner, Christine Robinson.
Initially Mrs Robinson was able to move Harry away, but Nala then jumped up and began ‘ragging [the dog] around like a toy’.
Mrs Robinson and her companion desperately tried to free Harry from Nala’s grip but they were unable to due to her strength. During their efforts, Mrs Robinson was bitten, and both women were pulled to the floor.
Eventually Nala became exhausted and let go.
Harry was taken to the vets and then onto a veterinary hospital, with is owner spending £4,500 on vet bills to save his life. Tragically, the little dog’s injuries were so horrific that euthanasia was the only option.
Mrs Robinson also went to hospital for bites to her hand to be cleaned, while the other woman suffered cuts and bruises.
Nala was seized by police, and Smith came forward as her owner. He told police that he ‘couldn’t accept’ his dog was responsible.
The prosecutor told the court that remarks made during an interview showed Smith was ‘exactly the type of person who is utterly incapable of being a responsible dog owner’.
In a statement read to the court, Mrs Robinson said: “My little Harry didn’t stand a chance. He only weighed 7.5 kilos and suffered from arthritis.
“His injuries were horrific to his little head. Everyone loved him and said he was unique.”
“He didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Smith, who has 42 previous offences on his record, had a ‘difficult upbringing’ and spent 18 months homeless, his barrister Graham Rishton said.
He said Smith had now found stable accommodation and had worked as a painter and decorator.
Judge Tina Landale told Smith: “The trauma of that event, and the impact on Mrs Robinson has been completely devastating. She lives with the consequences of your offence, and will live with the consequences of your offence for the rest of her life.
“It is clear that she has lost a well loved family member. In the pre-sentence report it is clear that you are not genuinely remorseful. In reality, there is little mitigation.”
Smith pleaded guilty to two charges of being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control. He was found guilty of a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
An order was issued for Nala’s destruction.
Sentencing | jailed for eight months. Banned from having a dog indefinitely.