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‘Dangerous’
St. Bernard Yogi goes home
YOGIE, THE ST. BERNARD seized under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs
Act by Sussex police after biting an officer who blatantly ignored
a 'Beware of the Dog' sign on the owner's property and a warning
from the owner has been returned to his owner after nine weeks
at secret kennels, writes Nick Mays.
As reported previously in OUR DOGS, Steve Prestage was putting
some tools away in his garage at his home in Copthorne, near
Crawley, West Sussex on the morning of March 22nd when he saw
a police van pull up in the lane near his home. Police Sergeant
Paul Huntley got out of the van and walked up Mr Prestage's
drive, apparently ignoring a prominent 'Beware of the Dog' sign
fastened to the gate, to ask directions to a nearby cottage.
Mr Prestage's six-year-old St Bernard Yogie started barking
at the officer, whom he saw as an intruder on his territory.
Mr Prestage called out to Sgt Huntley to stay where he was and
that he would get Yogie indoors, but the officer ignored him
and continued to march towards the dog. Yogie lunged at the
officer and bit him in the arm, leaving a puncture wound. Sgt
Huntley is said to have spent two nights in hospital receiving
treatment for the injury.
Sussex police seized Yogie a week later under Section 3 of the
Dangerous Dogs Act, for being 'dangerously out of control in
a public place'.
Mr Prestage's solicitor has been advised by well-know DDA solicitor
Trevor Cooper, and experts have been called in to assess Yogie's
temperament.
Mr Prestage opted for trial by jury when the matter came to
court last month. However, just 24 hours before the case was
due to be heard, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charge
under the DDA and opted instead for a lesser charge under the
less draconian 1871 Dogs Act. The new trial date is set for
June 20th at Haywards Heath magistrates’ court.
Yogie was released from custody and brought back to Mr Prestage
that evening, now apparently no longer considered to be a 'dangerous
dog'. Mr Prestage confirmed that Yogie had been well cared for
during his incarceration and that he was in good condition.
Mr Prestage also expressed his joy and Yogie's release, but
also added that he would fight "all the way" to ensure
that his pet was found not guilty and subjected to ant sort
of restrictions, as he was provoked by the police officer failing
to heed repeated warnings.
Sussex police commented that Sgt Huntley was carrying out his
normal duties when he was attacked by Yogie, and therefore some
form of restriction being placed on the dog would be appropriate.
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