Dog owner fined after man bitten on penis

A dog owner has been ordered to pay £6,000 in kennelling costs and compensation after her German Shepherd bit a man on his penis while he was walking his dog.

Rosemarie Grose, 67, was given a 12-month conditional discharge at Lincoln Crown Court after she admitted her dog called Bear was dangerously out of control on 30 July last year.

The court heard the victim suffered a bite wound at the base of his penis and spent two days in hospital, later requiring at least 10 follow-up appointments and several medical procedures.

Grose was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and £5,000 in kennelling costs.

The court heard the victim was walking his border terrier, Bertie, on the disused railway line between Stamford and Ryhall when Bear became involved in a "scuffle" with his dog. As he bent down to pick up Bertie, Bear bit him, puncturing his jeans.

The man later discovered he was bleeding from the base of his penis, resulting in swelling, bruising and blood in his urine.

Grose, of Armley Grove, Stamford, told police she had not witnessed the attack but regained control of Bear shortly afterwards.

The court heard two canine behaviour experts concluded the dog could be safely managed under a contingent destruction order, which allows a dog to remain with its owner subject to strict conditions.

Tom Heath, defending Grose, said she was of previous good character and had no criminal convictions.

"This was a particularly unfortunate incident, perhaps not helped by the layout of the location," he said.

Passing sentence, Judge James House KC said the consequences for the victim had been serious, but there was no evidence the attack could have been foreseen.

He told Grose: "The bottom line is you are a responsible dog owner and Bear is not usually a dangerous dog."

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