Garage visit leaves man injured and with dog phobia after attack by Tibetan Mastiff

Business owner spared prison, dog given contingent destruction order after customer bitten at Knowsley garage

Garage visit leaves man injured and with dog phobia after attack by Tibetan Mastiff

A visit to a Knowsley garage left a man with “nasty injuries” and a lasting phobia of dogs after he was bitten by the proprietor’s Tibetan mastiff. On 11 November 2023, John Crossland attended Vehicle Technician UK to collect his car when the dog, named Kong, attacked him.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Alan Gilmartin, 31, the garage owner, had tied Kong to a skip outside his premises. The “powerful and muscular” dog broke free from its “inadequate” chain and entered the garage, where Mr. Crossland was waiting. Kong approached from behind, biting Mr. Crossland’s right leg, and then his hand as he tried to defend himself. An employee eventually secured the dog in a van, while Mr. Crossland, bleeding and in shock, was taken to hospital.

The incident occurred in front of Mr. Crossland’s mother. He was left with a “phobia around dogs,” was off work for three weeks, and his competitive strongman training was interrupted.

The court heard that Gilmartin had previously received a conditional police caution in September 2023 after Kong bit another man in July of the same year. That caution required Kong to be muzzled in public and for Gilmartin to attend training.

Gilmartin admitted being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog that caused injury. Defending, Jonathan Rogers stated that Gilmartin accepted responsibility and was a “decent lad” with a good work ethic.

Judge Neil Flewitt KC sentenced Gilmartin to a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work. Kong was given a contingent destruction order, meaning the dog will not be euthanised provided conditions such as neutering and being muzzled in public are met. The Judge noted that Gilmartin “failed to supervise the dog properly” and keep it secured in a public access area, despite the previous incident.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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