BRONSON:DANGEROUS PITBULL ‘BRONSON’ GETS CHANCE TO CURB HIS TEMPER
A dangerous dog called Bronson who bit a policeman has been given a reprieve after a judge heard the hound and its owner are trying to control their tempers.
PC Darren Cookson, 27, was left in agony after the ‘pitbull-type’ pooch sunk his teeth into his calf.
The officer needed stitches and still bears a 6cm scar and teeth marks inflicted by dog more than two years ago.
Paul Higgins, 24, was found guilty of having a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control, following a trial at Inner London Crown Court.
Judge Simon Davis had ordered the dog to be destroyed but he may avoid the death sentence if he is found a new home.
Higgins earlier protested: ‘That dog’s like my kid.’
He has enrolled on an anger management course and the judge deferred sentence to March 14 next year to give for the lessons to take effect.
The judge had made the destruction order after viewing footage of the pet – named after tough-guy actor Charles Bronson – apparently playing happily with another dog.
Tristan Chaize, prosecuting, said expert Dr Roger Mugford, the animal behaviourist who made the film, had been discredited in a local newspaper sting.
He said: ‘It transpires, the prosecution discovered, that this doctor has been the subject of a journalistic sting in 2007.
‘He was taped in relation to a different dog and different case, agreeing to lie to the court in his report, in order to benefit the dog.
‘The defence has taken the decision not to use the (written) report and a further report was prepared.’
Mr Chaize told the court how police were called to an incident in Solent Rise, West Ham, east London, and saw Higgins with Bronson on July 2, 2009.
Higgins, who has a string of previous convictions, was agitated and warned: ‘Don’t f**kin touch me cos the dog will have you.’
The officers let him put the dog in his Smart Car but he took his chance to roar off down the road.
Police chased him and he was eventually stopped by backup in Seaton Close and he abandoned the car half on the pavement.
PCs Cookson and Timothy Tutt shouted ‘Stop, police,’ but Bronson jumped up and tried to bite the second constable.
As he backed off Higgins said: ‘Stay where you are – I have a dog.’
The animal ran around to PC Cookson and gnawed on his leg.
The officer said: ‘I felt the most excruciating pain in my leg and realised I had been bitten.’
Higgins was arrested but when the officers were told no ambulances were available, they drove their bleeding colleague to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.
The animal has been in kennels ever since.
Higgins, of Porters Avenue, Dagenham, e London, denied being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place and was found guilty by a majority.
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