Bulldog on doggy death row spared by magistrates after attack in Lytham Square

The placid atmosphere of Lytham’s main square was shattered by a vicious dog fight, a court was told.
Lytham Square, where the attack happened (Picture: Dan Martino)Lytham Square, where the attack happened (Picture: Dan Martino)
Lytham Square, where the attack happened (Picture: Dan Martino)

American bulldog Jensen, three, turned on white labradoodle Molly as she was walked across the square by her owners – savaging her and leaving her owners with £900 of vets bills.

The dog was able to escape a new harness bought by owner Bethany Davis a week before the attack, which happened last May.

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During the dog fight, Stephen Ellis, who owns Molly, used his hands to try and prise the bulldog’s jaws open as they clamped down – but was not strong enough.

Davis, 24, of Knowles Place, Wigan, admitted having a dog which was dangerously out of control when she appeared before Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

The magistrates could have ordered the death of the dog – which has been awaiting its fate for almost a year – but instead slapped his owner with an order saying he must be muzzled and on a lead and head collar in public.

Any further incidents will see it put down.

Davis was also told to pay £1,120 in compensation and costs.

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Prosecutor Peter Bardsley said Stephen and Janet Ellis, who live locally, were walking Molly on a retractable lead in the afternoon.

Mr Ellis, who was bitten on the hand, said: “I saw a large American bulldog wearing a harness. It growled, lurched forward, and bit Molly’s leg.

“There was a lot of blood. I thought she was going to die.”

Jensen was eventually pulled off Molly and police arrived.

They seized the bulldog and put him in kennels at a cost of £4,567, the court was told.

Defending, Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair said Davis bought the harness on the recommendation of a pet shop owner but it didn’t fit properly.

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“These were exceptional circumstances which could not have been foreseen,” she added.

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