Woman goaded huge dog to turn on police

A 'drunken' women was said to have goaded a large French mastiff dog to turn on the police when armed officers were called to reports it had tried to attack a man in a Burnley street.
A similar dogue de BordeauxA similar dogue de Bordeaux
A similar dogue de Bordeaux

The town’s magistrates were told how the brown, male Dogue de Bordeaux – the same breed as Hooch in the film “Turner and Hooch” – was not on a lead and had been aggressive to people on Cairo Street, as children played in the area.

The court was told the animal, a rescue dog, was being fostered by Wendy Ann Gorrie (44) who refused police instructions to control it.

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Gorrie claims she had had a fall-out with neighbours and the dog had reacted and been protective because it thought she was under threat. She was arrested for being drunk and disorderly during the incident.

The dog was eventually tranquillised by a police vet and taken to kennels.

It will not be put down as its owner Lee Nuttall was said by police to be a diligent owner. Officers did not request a destruction order.

Gorrie, of Cairo Street, Burnley, admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control on the street on February 11th.

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The defendant, who is on benefits, was fined £80, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. She was not banned from keeping or owning dogs.

Prosecutor Charlotte Crane told the hearing police were called by two people to Cairo Street where the defendant was with a dog.

Miss Crane said: “Quite clearly, she wasn’t in control of it. Officers say she positively encouraged the dog to show aggression towards them and showed great joy when the dog seemed to be offering her some kind of protection. She goaded the dog on.”

Ben Leech (defending) said: “Mrs Gorrie identified herself as somebody able to look after a dog, and able to care for this particular dog, which I am told is quite a big dog.

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“As far as Wendy Gorrie was concerned, it was big, soft and cuddly and didn’t generally demonstrate any signs of aggression.”

Mr Leech said Gorrie realised she could have handled the situation differently.

The solicitor added Gorrie had owned dogs throughout her life and had never come to the attention of the police or RSPCA.

The justices said the defendant had no previous history for such offences.

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