A Birmingham man is confronting the serious possibility of a custodial sentence after his powerful dog, named 'Bigman', violently attacked a local resident, biting a substantial piece of flesh from the victim's leg. The horrifying incident left the injured man desperately crawling on the ground in an attempt to reach the safety of a nearby shop.
Court Hearing Reveals Shocking Details of the Attack
Patrick Davy, aged 29 and from Northfield, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court this week, where he entered a guilty plea. He admitted to being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and which caused injury during the alarming episode on Merritts Brook Lane.
The prosecution, led by Helen Shipley, provided the court with distressing details. She explained that on November 2 of last year, Davy's Belgian Malinois dog, 'Bigman', managed to escape from his property due to inadequate fencing. The animal then approached a One Stop convenience store, where it encountered Angus Campbell.
Graphic Footage and Severe Injuries Described
CCTV footage from the scene captured the terrifying sequence of events. "Mr Campbell was the poor person who was on the receiving end of the dog's behaviour, which amounted to getting bit on the hip," stated Ms Shipley. She continued, describing how the footage showed Mr Campbell attempting to flee, only for the dog to pursue him and seize the back of his calf.
"Mr Campbell is crawling on the floor to get into the shop with the dog hanging off his leg," the prosecutor told the magistrates. Photographic evidence of the injuries sustained was presented, with Ms Shipley noting, "There's a chunk of flesh taken out of that calf."
Legal Consequences and Future of the Dog
During police interviews, Davy accepted full responsibility as the owner of the dog at the time of the attack. The court heard that the sentencing guidelines for such an offence begin at a six-month prison term, though the range extends from a community order up to a maximum of one year in custody.
In addition to the potential jail sentence for Davy, the future of the dog itself remains uncertain. Magistrates have ordered an expert report to determine whether 'Bigman' should be destroyed, a decision that will weigh heavily on the outcome of the case.
Sentencing Adjourned for Further Reports
The bench has adjourned the sentencing hearing until April 17 to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service. This report will assess Davy's circumstances and help inform the final judgement. In the interim, Patrick Davy has been granted unconditional bail, meaning he is free to remain in the community until the next court date.
This case highlights the severe legal repercussions for pet owners who fail to maintain proper control of their animals, especially powerful breeds like the Belgian Malinois. The community in Northfield is now awaiting the court's final decision, which will determine both the fate of the dog and the liberty of its owner.
