Swindon woman banned from owning dogs for 5 years following series of attacks
Sophie Sheppard, 34, from Moredon, pleaded guilty to three counts of being in control of a dog dangerously out of control and one count of common assault
A woman has been banned from owning dogs for five years following a number of attacks by her dog.
Sophie Sheppard, 34, of Akers Way, Moredon, pleaded guilty to three counts of being in control of a dog dangerously out of control and one count of common assault.
She was disqualified from owning a dog for five years and must complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement days.
The dog – a Mastiff-cross – was seized during the investigation. A court order ruled that it will be put to sleep, subject to an appeal.
On March 30, Sheppard was caught attempting to shoplift from the Morrisons store on Thames Avenue. She was approached by the manager, after which she walked out the store, untied her dog and threatened to set it on him.
On April 11, on Moredon Road, Sheppard’s dog lunged at another dog, attacking it and biting the owner. Sheppard also verbally abused the victim.
Two weeks later, on April 26, on Elborough Road, Sheppard’s dog bit the victim’s dog on the leg, causing an injury to the dog.
On May 3, Sheppard’s dog jumped a garden fence in Akers Way, mauling the neighbour’s cat to death.
Sheppard was subsequently arrested on May 8 following a public appeal and the dog was seized.
PC Paul Croft, from the Dogs team, said: “We are aware this dog caused a significant amount of concern in the local community and required other pedestrians and dog walkers to go out of their way to avoid her.
“Sheppard showed no inclination to train her dog and get it under better control, and instead verbally abused the victims and threatened to set it upon them.
“I’m pleased that the courts have recognised the severity of her actions and have disqualified her from owning any dogs for the next five years.”