The Staffie owner appeared in court on Thursday, May 1, to plead guilty to being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control and caused injury.
Prosecutor Hadia Ahmed said: “On January 24 last year the victim was walking towards Co-op with his dog, Hustle, on a leash when he was faced with a loose dog which was barking and then attacked Hustle.
“The dog’s jaws were locked around his dog and he could hear his dog crying. When he tried to intervene to open the dog’s jaws and he was bitten on the hand.”
The owner of the Staffie was nowhere to be seen at the time of the attack, Ms Ahmed said.
The victim eventually managed to get control of the Staffie and locate the owner – 65-year-old David Cooke – inside Co-op.
Cooke, of Portway Gardens, said he had tied his dog up outside the shop and did not know how the dog had got loose.
The victim required hospital treatment for his hand whilst his dog went to the vets with injuries to his face.
At Willesden Magistrates’ Court he was ordered to pay £50 compensation for the victim’s injury and £100 towards his vet bill.
A contingent destruction order was made for his Staffie, meaning that if Cooke fails to adhere to conditions such as keeping the dog on a lead it will be put down.
