London couple jailed after XL bully-type dog attacked boy
The pair have been sentenced to six years in prison
A London couple have been jailed after their XL bully-type dog attacked a boy.
Perry and Kim Driver were previously convicted of three counts of cruelty to a person under 16 years and two counts of being the owner of a dog which caused injury whilst dangerously out of control in a private place.
The defendants owned an XL bully-type dog called Maverick which attacked a boy on two separate occasions leaving him needing surgery on his arm, the prosecution said.
The boy has been left with significant scarring on his arm and leg after the incidents in 2023, Wood Green Crown Court heard.
Katrina Charles, prosecuting, referenced the Drivers’ “failure to ensure Maverick’s welfare needs” – in particular failing to feed him properly and take him for regular walks which “appears to have contributed significantly to his aggression”.
In a victim impact statement read to the court by the prosecution, the boy said: “Every time I have to look at my arm or leg it brings back memories of the incident.
“I don’t like to have my arm or leg on show at all and I will wear long clothing.”
Poppy Cleary, defending, said “any allegations of failing to feed the dog properly or take him for walks is not what the evidence was”.
She added that the defendants “both express their remorse”.
The court heard that the defendants pleaded guilty to the two counts of being the owner of a dog which caused injury whilst dangerously out of control in a private place on the first day of trial, and were found guilty of the three counts of cruelty to a person under 16 years.
Perry Driver, 67, and Kim Driver, 58, of north London, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday and Judge Timothy Godfrey sentenced them to six years in prison, of which they will serve half, and disqualified them from having custody of a dog for 12 years.
The defendants hugged in the dock as Kim Driver became emotional after the sentence.
Addressing the defendants, Judge Godfrey said an XL bully-type’s “often aggressive nature was well known then as it is now”.
He said they did not train or care for the dog appropriately.
The boy was caused serious injury on both occasions when he was bitten, the judge said.
The judge also said that the defendants are of previous good character.