Man accused over fatal XL Bully attack told police 'Poodles are more aggressive'
Jurors were told the mauling of Esther Martin, 68, was a "tragedy waiting to happen".
A man accused of owning dangerous XL bully dogs that killed a grandmother in Essex claimed to police that poodles were more aggressive than his animals, a court has heard.
Ashley Warren, 41, is currently on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court after the fatal attack on 68-year-old Esther Martin at his home on Hillman Avenue, Jaywick, Essex, on 3rd February 2024.
Ms Martin was left with the two XL bully dogs, named Beauty and Bear, and their eight puppies while Warren travelled to London to film a music video. Prosecutor Chris Paxton KC said the decision to leave Ms Martin, who had mobility issues and little dog handling experience, was "a tragedy waiting to happen."
The incident occurred two days after the Government introduced a ban on XL bully breeds in England and Wales, making it illegal to own one without an exemption certificate. The court heard Warren had not applied for certificates for any of the 10 animals.
During the attack, Ms Martin sustained severe injuries, including "dozens and dozens" of bites, with one leaving a complete fracture in her arm.
Emergency services struggled to enter the property to assist, with police describing the dogs as "in a frenzied state." Officers reportedly used tasers before gaining access to the scene.
The jury was shown footage of Warren speaking to police during a visit to his property prior to the attack. In the video, Warren expressed disbelief over public concerns about XL bully dogs, stating: "It's mad to me." He added, "You get them little poodles that come up to you and go rah, rah, rah – they're more aggressive."
According to the prosecutor, Warren also lied to his landlord and police, claiming he had applied for exemption certificates.
Warren denies charges of owning and being in charge of dogs that caused fatal injury while dangerously out of control. The defendant argues that he reasonably believed Ms Martin was a "fit and proper person" to care for the dogs in his absence.
He is also facing a separate charge of possessing a knife without lawful authority at Clacton railway station on the day of the attack. Warren claims the knife was a prop for the music video he had been filming.
The trial continues.