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Pensioner, 78, who was ‘ripped to shreds’ by two Rottweilers and wanted arm and leg amputated tells of life being ‘turned the wrong way up’ and what he most misses – as canine proprietor is jailed

A pensioner who needed his arm and leg amputated after being ‘ripped to shreds’ by two Rottweilers has told his devastating story as the owner of the dog is jailed.

Vic Franklin, 78, was left ‘covered with blood’ and ‘not moving’ following the savage 11-minute attack carried out by two large canines called Ziggy, four, and Daisy, one in Bognor Regis in August 2023.

Mother of five Chloe Taylor, 27, was sentenced today at Portsmouth Crown Court, Hants, where it was heard that she and partner Matthew Roberts, 30, had been ‘repeatedly’ warned about the aggressive nature of their pets.

A heartbreaking video interview with Mr Franklin sees the pensioner describe the helplessness he felt before the attack and how his life has been ‘turned upside down’.

He explained: ‘I heard this rustling noise and thought, “what’s that?”.

‘And all of a sudden these two dogs come round – Rottweilers. And I thought, “oh god”.

‘We came face to face. There was nowhere to go.’

Mr Franklin added he could not remember much of the dreadful mauling, only that he woke up in Brighton Hospital.

Vic Franklin, 78, was left 'covered with blood' and 'not moving' following the savage 11-minute attack carried out by two large canines called Ziggy, four, and Daisy, one in Bognor Regis in August 2023

Vic Franklin, 78, was left ‘covered with blood’ and ‘not moving’ following the savage 11-minute attack carried out by two large canines called Ziggy, four, and Daisy, one in Bognor Regis in August 2023

A heartbreaking video interview with Mr Franklin sees the pensioner describe the helplessness he felt before the attack and how his life has been 'turned upside down'

A heartbreaking video interview with Mr Franklin sees the pensioner describe the helplessness he felt before the attack and how his life has been ‘turned upside down’

After admitting being in charge of dogs who were 'dangerously out of control', Taylor - whose oldest child is 11 - was sentenced to 27 months in prison while her partner escaped with a suspended sentence

After admitting being in charge of dogs who were ‘dangerously out of control’, Taylor – whose oldest child is 11 – was sentenced to 27 months in prison while her partner escaped with a suspended sentence

He said: ‘So many people came to my aid. I can’t thank everybody enough.’

The pensioner also recounted the extent of his injuries in detail and said he missed the ‘happy and healthy person’ he was before the attack.

But he also remained optimistic saying ‘I’ve always got a smile on my face. I’m never miserable. I get down at times but then I think to myself I’m not having it.’

It was heard at court that on the day of the attack, heavily pregnant dog owner Taylor had left the animal – which were often spotted showing their teeth in public – ‘insecure’ in the garden which they had escaped ‘many times’.

The ‘scene of utter horror and terror’ that unfolded would see Mr Franklin lose two limbs and a finger as the dogs mauled him.

Neighbour James Jones went outside with a long spirit level after hearing of the commotion and was met with what he described as the most ‘unpleasant and unnerving site’ he had seen.

Today, after admitting being in charge of dogs who were ‘dangerously out of control’, Taylor – whose oldest child is 11 – was sentenced to 27 months in prison while her partner escaped with a suspended sentence.

This was after a council worker, neighbours, a police officer, and a dog charity worker had ‘warned’ the expectant mother that the pets should be kept on a lead and ‘under control’.

Chloe Taylor and Matthew Roberts outside Portsmouth Crown Court, Hants

Chloe Taylor and Matthew Roberts outside Portsmouth Crown Court, Hants

Mother of five Chloe Taylor, 27, was sentenced today at Portsmouth Crown Court, Hants, where it was heard that herself and partner Matthew Roberts, 30, had been 'repeatedly' warned about the aggressive nature of their pets

Mother of five Chloe Taylor, 27, was sentenced today at Portsmouth Crown Court, Hants, where it was heard that herself and partner Matthew Roberts, 30, had been ‘repeatedly’ warned about the aggressive nature of their pets

Prosecuting, Ellie Fargin, told the court that Mr Franklin was attacked on August 18, 2023, near his home in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, while walking his Spaniel, Peggy.

She referred to CCTV footage which showed the Rottweilers approach the pensioner from across the street.

‘They were off lead and their owners were not present,’ she added, ‘The attack in relation to Mr Franklin went on for about 11 minutes.’

Ms Fargin said Mr Franklin could be seen ‘trying to protect himself and the dog’ by ‘fending’ off the Rottweilers.

It was heard that a couple who lived nearby overheard ‘dogs barking’ and ‘shouting’ outside their home.

Mr Jones leapt into action when his wife shouted ‘there’s a man being attacked by a dog’ which prompted him to grab a long spirit level and go outside.

When he got there, the neighbour saw dog Peggy ‘shaking’ while Mr Franklin was being mauled by the two Rottweilers, whose faces were ‘covered in blood’.

He said Ziggy was ‘chewing something that looked like skin’ and it was the most ‘unpleasant and unnerving site he has seen’.

Mr Franklin remained optimistic saying 'I've always got a smile on my face. I'm never miserable. I get down at times but then I think to myself I'm not having it'

Mr Franklin remained optimistic saying ‘I’ve always got a smile on my face. I’m never miserable. I get down at times but then I think to myself I’m not having it’

The pensioner recounted the extent of his injuries in detail and said he missed the 'happy and healthy person' he was before the attack

The pensioner recounted the extent of his injuries in detail and said he missed the ‘happy and healthy person’ he was before the attack

Mr Franklin pats his dog Peggy during the emotional interview

Mr Franklin pats his dog Peggy during the emotional interview

It was also said at court that Mr Jones thought Mr Franklin was ‘a bag’ being ‘pulled about’ when he first went outside due to the nature of his injuries.

Police officers who attended the scene described seeing Mr Franklin on the floor ‘covered in blood and not moving’.

‘[They said] it looked like he had been ripped to shreds,’ Ms Fargin told a previous hearing.

The prosecutor added police were called and ‘shots were fired’ at the two dogs which prompted one to run off.

They have now both been put down.

Ms Fargin told the court that Mr Franklin was taken to hospital and his very severe injuries were both ‘life changing’ and ‘life threatening’, resulting in him requiring emergency resuscitation.

They led to him having two limbs amputated – one to his left leg above the knee and one to his right arm below his elbow.

The court heard there had previously been ‘reports’ made by members of the public about the ‘behaviour’ of two Rottweilers.

Vic Franklin, 78, (pictured) was 'ripped to shreds' by two Rottweilers in a random attack and had to have an arm and leg amputated, the court heard

Vic Franklin, 78, (pictured) was ‘ripped to shreds’ by two Rottweilers in a random attack and had to have an arm and leg amputated, the court heard 

The prosecutor said the ‘culmination’ of these was they had been ‘left roaming free’, ‘they had been showing their teeth’, and they had ‘concerns about the welfare of them as they were living outside’.

Ms Fargin added a dog charity, the district council, and a police officer tried to intervene but were unsuccessful.

It was heard that Taylor even ‘blocked’ the charity worker who advised her to keep the dogs on a lead.

The owners also ‘failed to give them veterinary care’ and the dogs had shown ‘some aggression’ in the past.

An expert found the dogs did not have ‘enough to do’ to ensure they were not ‘bored’ and were not given toys to occupy them.

Addressing the couple, Judge William Ashworth said: ‘You both pleaded guilty… to being in control of two Rottweiler dogs who were dangerously out of control causing catastrophic, serious injuries to Mr Franklin on the 18th of August, 2023.

‘Ms Taylor, you were at home, you were heavily pregnant and gave birth four days later.

‘On that day, you left the house to go to an appointment.

The pensioner said he was a healthy and active person until he was 'brutally attacked' by the two dogs - and had 'no way to protect myself'

The pensioner said he was a healthy and active person until he was ‘brutally attacked’ by the two dogs – and had ‘no way to protect myself’

In a victim impact statement, Mr Franklin said that his life was 'turned upside down' as a result of the attacks

In a victim impact statement, Mr Franklin said that his life was ‘turned upside down’ as a result of the attacks

‘The dogs were left insecure outside in the garden – a garden from which they had escaped many times before and that you were aware was not secure.’

Judge Ashworth said he was ‘quite satisfied’ from the evidence to conclude that Taylor was ‘warned that the dogs were a risk that you had to secure them and keep them under control’.

Discussing the attack, he explained Mr Franklin was ‘savaged’ for over 11 minutes, adding: ‘It’s a scene of utter horror and terror.

‘The experience and terror is being anyone’s comprehension.

‘[Mr Franklin] had to be given emergency resuscitation and has lost two limbs and a finger.

‘To say that the injuries are life saving is almost to minimise them, they are that traumatic.’

In a victim impact statement, Mr Franklin said that his life was ‘turned upside down’ as a result of the attacks.

The pensioner said he was a healthy and active person until he was ‘brutally attacked’ by the two dogs – and had ‘no way to protect myself’.

‘That day my life was changed forever,’ he said.

‘I do not believe that any dog that has been raised in a loving and caring environment would have done what they had done to me.’

Mr Franklin said before the attack he was caring for his sick wife – and she now has to care for him.

Jeffrey Lamb, mitigating, said: ‘What is clear from the pre-sentence report is the profound remorse both these young people have about what it was that their two dogs did, and the effect on the unfortunate victim.

‘They are both dog lovers and they look after their dogs.’

Roberts was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitative activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Both have been disqualified from owning a dog for the next 10 years.

The judge gave Mr Jones a Sheriffs’ Award for Bravery for saving Mr Franklin’s life.