A MAN from Holyhead was spared jail, but told his dog must be put down, after it bit three people.
Jamie Wilson, 35, of Waterside, was today (September 13) sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court).
He had previously admitted three counts of owning a dangerously out of control dog causing injury.
READ MORE:
Search for Caernarfon man wanted by police
Man pleads guilty to causing death of 20-year-old in Gwynedd crash
Prosecuting, Richard Edwards told the court that, on January 18, 2023, Amanda Smith, who had known Wilson for about a year by then, was stroking his American Bulldog-type dog, Loki, when it suddenly bit her hand.
The wounds Loki caused her required hospital treatment, while Ms Smith said the incident has left her feeling “nervous around other dogs”.
On March 20, 2023, Jordan Watts, who had known Wilson for about four years, was walking with him and his dog to a shop, where Wilson then left it outside connected by a lead to a hook on the wall.
When Mr Watts came out of the shop, Loki snapped his lead and bit him on his left arm and chest.
Wilson then intervened, but the injuries left Mr Watts “very apprehensive around dogs”.
He had to attend surgery four or five times and had to time off work as a seafarer, meaning he lost out on an estimated £8-10,000 financially.
On July 28, 2023, Stephanie Jones, who had known Wilson since their time at school together, visited him at his home, but as she lifted her arm to move a cupboard door, Loki jumped up and bit her left forearm.
Wilson moved the dog into his bathroom and helped clean her cuts to the arm, and she later attended hospital.
Following his arrest, Wilson confirmed to police he was Loki’s owner, but said he is not an aggressive dog and described him as a “little softie”.
Loki was seized on August 26, 2023; the costs of kennelling him since then have exceeded £4,000.
Defending Wilson, who had eight previous convictions for 13 offences, Rosemary Proctor said he “accepts it is his fault that his dog attacked people”.
She added that Wilson is “genuinely sorry”, and has apologised “sincerely” to the three people who were bitten by Loki.
Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts told Wilson that his dog had caused “nasty injuries”.
He told him: “Because you haven’t trained the dog properly, the dog hasn’t learned how to behave.
“It doesn’t seem to me that you’ve appreciated, perhaps until very recently, quite how serious this situation is.”
Wilson was made subject to a 90-day electronically monitored curfew, forcing him to stay at home between 7pm and 7am for that time.
He will also complete 150 hours’ unpaid work, 15 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement, and a 35-session programme requirement.
Judge Petts also banned Wilson from owning a dog for the next five years.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here