Social employee, 64, to lose job after her pet canine bites man on the leg

A social employee whose ‘nice and playful’ aged terrier bit a passing businessman on the leg will now lose her job after being convicted of proudly owning a canine dangerously uncontrolled.

Mother-of-two Gillian Donagh, 64, had 12-year-old Lyra on a lead when her pet unexpectedly bit Ronen Goodfriend on his proper calf as they walked previous one another at Crosby Marina in Liverpool.

Mr Goodfriend was strolling 4 canines himself, three of which weren’t on a lead, and Ms Donagh stated this may occasionally have prompted Lyra to ‘overact’.

He immediately felt a pointy ache, pulled his denims up and noticed the chunk mark and blood dripping down his leg, Sefton magistrates courtroom heard.

As a social employee, Ms Donagh can not work with a conviction in opposition to her identify and the assault additionally means Lyra has to put on a muzzle in public and could possibly be destroyed if she misbehaves once more.

Police have been known as to the scene at Crosby Marina in Liverpool following the chunk assault.

Officers later visited Ms Donagh at her residence in close by Brighton le Sands the place they assessed Lyra as being ‘nice and playful’ and displaying no indicators of aggression. 

Ms Donagh later stated Lyra might have overacted as a consequence of three of the opposite canines not being on a lead.

At Sefton magistrates courtroom, she admitted being the proprietor of a canine dangerously uncontrolled inflicting damage and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Goodfriend.

She was additionally fined £185 and ordered to pay £120 in prices.

The felony conviction means Ms Donagh will now not be capable to work in her profession as a social employee.

Her lawyer stated she had deliberate on persevering with to work for Sefton Council however her future had ‘disappeared within the short while’.

Lyra will now be topic to a contingent destruction order which may lead to her being destroyed if she misbehaves once more. 

She should be saved on a muzzle and on a lead in public locations and may solely be walked by an individual 18 or over.

The chunk occurred at 10am on April 19 final 12 months.

Prosecutor Miss Natasha Williamson advised the courtroom that police attended Ms Donagh’s residence following the incident.

She stated: ‘The canine was recorded on a body-worn digicam and the canine’s manner was described as nice and really playful. 

‘It didn’t show any indicators of aggression. The defendant stated that it was the primary incident of this nature. The canine had by no means fashioned any aggression previous to this.

‘The defendant seems earlier than the courtroom as a girl of earlier character. She has no earlier convictions. But the complainant has acquired fairly a nasty chunk mark to his proper calf.’

In mitigation Ms Donagh’s solicitor Mark Ellis advised the Justices of the Peace: ‘It is moderately ironic that the complainant’s identify is Mr Goodfriend as Lyra has been a very good good friend to the defendant’s household for your entire 12 years they’ve had her. 

‘Lyra is turned to for assist for strolling, consolation and cuddles and has by no means beforehand proven any kind of aggression or violence in the direction of any particular person.

‘I invite you to think about references from the skilled canine walker and the social employee. The canine walker has identified that because the incident occurred Ms Donagh has skilled Lyra to simply accept a muzzle, she accepts it very properly. She is at all times on a lead.

‘Mr Goodfriend had 4 canines, three of which weren’t on leads, one was on a lead. As they walked previous in shut proximity immediately Lyra unexpectedly turns and bites Mr Goodfriend.

Mr Ellis advised the courtroom Lyra didn’t run after Mr Goodfriend and by the point he had circled it had already launched its grip.

He stated the assault was over in ‘milliseconds’.

‘This girl is a accountable particular person. She takes her obligations to society very critically certainly’ he stated.

‘She apologised on the scene and supplied particulars to Mr Goodfriend. Regrettably Mr Goodfriend was with one other one who was fairly indignant. He was clearly upset about what had gone on.

‘The defendant says it was the primary incident of this nature. It is a playful and adoring canine that’s by no means aggressive. 

‘The defendant can solely put it all the way down to the three canines that weren’t on the lead for Lyra to behave in the way in which that she did. Since that point she’s made certain that the canine is at all times muzzled and on a lead. This incident will not occur once more.

Mr Ellis continued: ‘The ramifications are extraordinarily vital. She works at Sefton Council at 64 years of age and should proceed working. She will not retire anytime quickly and can turn into self-employed at 66, working for Sefton Council and different councils.

‘If she has any convictions she will likely be routinely barred from doing that kind of labor. Her conviction right here at this time will most likely imply that at 66 she won’t discover any work in any respect. You have earlier than you a really contrite girl of 64 years of age, any person who loses her good identify. Her exit technique has disappeared in a short while.

‘In milliseconds of this taking place the defendant loses an opportunity of incomes any more money from 66 onwards. This was an remoted incident. There have been no earlier complaints or incidents involving the canine. There is proof earlier than the courtroom of accountable possession. There is real regret. The girl is of excellent character and he or she has taken steps to deal with the offending behaviour.

‘It was an remoted incident. Thankfully there is no such thing as a proof of serious medical remedy required. It was disagreeable for Mr Goodfriend however my issues for my consumer are the ramifications of the conviction.

‘It might be price saying that the very first thing she stated after I noticed her was, ‘I wish to make it possible for the gentleman receives some compensation in order that he’ll know the way very sorry I’m about what occurred.

‘She has labored hand in hand with society for a few years. She is a really considerate and caring one who is devastated that this occurred.

‘The trauma of getting to return to courtroom and stroll within the dock and discover herself convicted, I might respectfully submit, is punishment itself.

‘People who work within the courtroom system are so used to being right here day in and day trip, however individuals who have by no means been in hassle earlier than, they arrive shaking just like the proverbial MFI wardrobe when coming by the door. 

‘The courtroom can make sure that Lyra won’t ever act in that approach once more.’

Ms Donagh was additionally fined £185 and ordered to pay £120 in prices. Justice Michael Readitt advised her: ‘This has been fairly a testing case to listen to however the reality is that your canine attacked one other particular person.’