Warning for Newtown, Powys man after dog bites toddler

Ernie Michael John Jesty’s German Shephard bit the three-year-old, leaving a puncture wound, on August 9 last year.

Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard last week that 57-year-old Jesty had been unable to control his dog during the incident, in which it also took a baby’s bottle from a pushchair.

Jesty, who was accused of being abusive towards the mother of the child after she challenged him about keeping his dog under control said he “deeply regrets” the incident.

Jesty, of Cae Camlas, Newtown, admitted one charge of being an owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused injury when he appeared before the court last Tuesday, March 7.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the attack occurred on the Canal Road footpath at around 1pm on August 9, 2022 when the dog approached the mother, her dog and her children.

OTHER NEWS:

• Powys couple forced to sleep on floor with newborn plead for compensation
• Pensioner to be sentenced later this year on Newtown child rape charges
• Met Office issues another snow and ice warning for Powys

"The owner called him back but he kept returning," she said. "The second time this happened it knocked her daughter off her feet, which left her crying and hysterical.

"The dog then returned a third time and bit her, taking a bottle from the pushchair as well. There was a puncture wound."

Ms Tench said the woman had then seen Jesty punching and kicking the dog, which caused it to yelp and become more aggressive. She has reported this to the RSPCA, but Jesty denies it, the court heard.

Jesty was spoken to by police and said the German Shephard was nine months old, and had been off his lead at the time as it doesn't usually meet dogs on that route.

“He said the dog wanted to play," she added. 

"He kept walking and caught up with the dog, but when he went to put the lead on him he got loose before he could.

"He said he gave his dog a little tap and said the woman was abusive to him; she swore and said ‘put your dog on a lead’, and he said to her ‘put yourself on a lead’."

Acting for Jesty, Paul Inns said: “We shouldn’t minimise it but it was a minor injury and medical treatment was not sought."

He added: “He accepts the dog knocked the child over, he didn’t see it as he was looking at his phone. He accepts there was a bite but again he didn’t see it.

“He disputes having punched or kicked the dog, he took hold of it to discipline it. He also disputes the comments made and he never spat at her.”

Mr Inns said there had been no further incidents with the dog since, and that the dog is now always muzzled in public.

Magistrates ordered a report and probation officer Julian Davies told the court: “Mr Jesty deeply regrets what happened to the young child."

Mr Davies said Jesty had 24 convictions for 50 previous offences and that he last appeared in court in February 2015.

Magistrates issued a destruction order for the German Shephard but said it would be contingent on Jesty keeping the dog muzzled and on a lead at all times while outside the house.

He was fined £133 with a £93 surcharge and £85 costs, plus £100 compensation.