Owner of XL Bully who was bitten by the dog while he was having sex set to APPEAL a ruling that the animal should be destroyed
The owner of an XL Bully who was bitten by the mutt while having sex is appealing against the ruling that the animal must be destroyed.
Scott Thurston, 32, was bitten by his two-year-old dog Hank while being intimate with his partner Leanne Bell at their home in Glanaman, Wales, on August 2 this year.
After the incident, Ms Bell called police in the early hours of the morning when Mr Thurston tried to muzzle the dog in the garden, Llanelli Crown Court heard.
The police seized Hank on August 19 and today the dog was ordered destroyed.
But owner Thurston is determined to prevent that and has revealed he will try to appeal the decision.
Scott Thurston, 32, was bitten by his two-year-old dog Hank while being intimate with his partner Leanne Bell
The police seized Hank on August 19 and today the dog was ordered destroyed
But owner Thurston is determined to prevent that and has revealed he will try to appeal the decision
On behalf of Mr Thurston, a friend posted on a Facebook group this morning called 'Hank didn't confiscate BSL' and said: 'Not the news we wanted to share… there is room for an appeal and we will will update further once Scott has had time to further consult with the legal team.”
CCTV footage from officers showed them arriving at the property as Mr Thurston attempted to restrain the dog.
Mrs Bell was heard telling the two police officers: 'I have four children, I love the dog but I can't have him with my children.'
The court heard that Ms Bell and Mr Thurston had had an argument before becoming intimate, and that the dog attacked and bit Mr Thurston when they started having sex.
Mr Thurston suffered bites on his left forearm and chin but refused offers for an ambulance.
Police later seized the dog on August 19 and it has been housed in kennels at Dyfed-Powys police headquarters.
Police applied for a destruction order under section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871, as the dog was dangerous.
Frederick Lewendon, for the police, told the court there was 'a real possibility that the incident could become much worse' and that the dog was a major concern for Dyfed-Powys Police.
After the incident, Ms Bell called police in the early hours of the morning when Mr Thurston tried to muzzle the dog in the garden, Llanelli Crown Court heard.
Magistrates granted the destruction order on the grounds that they had 'significant safety concerns' about the dog with four young children in the household
He warned that although Mr Thurston's injuries had not been serious, 'next time it might not be a small bite for him, but for one of the children'.
Ian Birch, representing Mr Thurston, said that with 'the right circumstances' the dog could be returned home safely as there had been 'no previous incidents'.
Magistrates granted the destruction order on the grounds that they had 'significant safety concerns' about the dog with four young children in the household.
They said it was 'not safe to return'. An order was also placed for £800 in costs.
Mr Thurston and his partner Leanne Bell declined to comment as they left court.
Mr Duston was able to raise money for his court fund through the Facebook group, which has 182 members.
On December 31st, breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an American Bully XL to roam will be illegal – and anyone without an exemption certificate will be seized by police.