Dangerous dog to be put down (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Dangerous dog to be put down

Peter Bailey, 14, with mum Sandra after being bitten by the dog in DecemberA FAMILY will have to say their final goodbyes to their pet dog after it was sentenced to death by a Swindon court.

Casey, a Neapolitan Bull Mastiff faces being put down in the next few weeks after it attacked 14-year-old Peter Bailey in December.

Peter had to be operated on for two hours by surgeons at the Great Western Hospital after being bitten by the dog.

Swindon magistrates have now found Casey's owner, Wendy Royle, of Downton Road, Penhill, guilty of not keeping her dog under control and have ordered that the animal be put down.

Mrs Royle was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Peter, £50 in compensation to Sandra and £600 in kennel fees.

Peter's mother Sandra, 51, of Shalbourne Close, Penhill, said: "It's right that the dog is being destroyed. We feel a lot happier now it is not running around.

"I love dogs but once they bite there's a big chance they'll do it again.

Mrs Bailey, who has six children, said: "When he was still roaming the streets my kids wouldn't go out unless my husband took them by car, and Peter still won't go near a big dog.

"When the court phoned to say it's being destroyed it was a big relief."

Inspector Willie Glasgow of Swindon police, who was one of the officers investigating the incident, said: "We received a number of complaints about this dog but the owner decided to pursue the matter in court.

"Now of course, the owners of the dog are in the unfortunate situation that they are now facing these huge costs and also the heartache and loss of a much-loved family pet.

"Dog owners need to realise if they are approached by police telling them that their pet is causing problems in the local community they need to pay attention and do something about it."

Inspector Glasgow pointed out that the decision by the owner to pursue the case in court meant that the dog has had to spend many months in kennels at a cost to the taxpayer of £1,800.

PC Sarah Ennis, who also worked on the case, said: "We are delighted this dog is off the streets of Penhill.

"We saw the damage it did to a 14-year-old and it doesn't bear thinking about if the dog had attacked a younger child."

At the time, Peter's father David told the Adver: "I'd like the thing put down before somebody else gets hurt or before it bites a young child.

"Otherwise you may wind up with a fatality."

Mrs Royle did not want to comment about the decision.

Previously she told the Adver that Casey was really a big softie and had always been friendly to her three children.

Anthony Osborne