Dangerous dog trial judge: 'Aggressive dogs make you feel bigger than you are' (From Haringey Independent)

Dangerous dog trial judge: 'Aggressive dogs make you feel bigger than you are'

1:56pm Thursday 1st April 2010 in Biting Back News By Elizabeth Pears

TWO young men from Hornsey have been jailed for five years after admitting to encouraging their pitbull-type dogs to savage two police officers.

Judge Simon Carr, sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court, in Lordship Lane, on Wednesday, said he wanted the lengthy term to act as a deterrent to other young men who use "status symbol" dogs as weapons.

Defendants Mehmet Koc, 19, and Matthew Joannou, 20, both of Newland Road, were returning home from a Wood Green kebab shop, on September 1, 2009, with their large and powerful dogs who were not on leashes.

As they passed off-duty Police Constable Scott Tiffin, who had just finished a long shift at Notting Hill Carnival, Joannou, who had been drinking, shouted: "I'm going to get my dog to kill you!"

He then ordered the tan dog to attack and Koc's dog, a black pitbull-type, also joined in the horrifying assault which sent PC Tiffin into shock. He suffered severe injuries to his leg, chest, and arms.

His anguished cries were overheard by his colleague, PC Pete Gilchrist, who came to his rescue and brought the ordeal to the end.

While the pair took cover behind a metal fence, Koc and Joannou made off towards New River Village.

Police on patrol encountered the pair with their dogs and another officer, PC Mark Feasey, was also attacked.

Judge Simon Carr, sentencing, said: "This is one of those cases receiving much attention at the moment where young men get large, powerful and aggressive dogs that make them feel bigger and more important than they actually are.

"On this particular occasion, because of drink, you allowed and encouraged your dogs to attack another human being. I accept you did not realise he was a police officer.

"At the first trial, I saw him give evidence. He thought he was going to die that evening. He is telling the truth. The psychological and physical damage will be with him for the rest of his life.

"It is a type of offence that causes increasing concern to the public, because having dogs of this sort as status symbols means using them on occasion to hurt someone."

The judge did praise the defendants for "not sticking their heads in their sand" and having the courage to admit to their crimes and accepted their remorse as genuine.

PC Tiffin, speaking to Haringey Independent, said: "I am pleased with the sentence. I think the judge treated it with the seriousness it required.

  "At first the dogs seemed friendly enough, but almost out of nowhere, the attack started. It probably lasted for about 30 seconds, but when a dog has your leg in a vice-like grip, it seems like forever.

  "I'm just glad this is over to be honest. I accept their remorse, but hope they have really thought about what they have done."

As well as the stiff five-year sentence, the pair have also been banned from owning a dog for ten years and both animals are due to be put down, in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Judge Carr said: "I have to consider the danger they pose to the public — as dreadful as I find it".

PC Gilchrist said that in the wake of the brutal assault in Coburg Road on September 1, 2009, he was unable to sleep for visions of PC Tiffin, on the ground as the two pitbull-type dogs sank their teeth into this flesh.

The officer said: “I only did what I think anyone in my position would have done. I've never been very good with dogs, but something took over. I was screaming at the dogs and at the owners to get the dogs off.

"The image that kept me awake for nights was when I ran round the corner and saw Scott being thrown around on the floor by the dogs. It was the scariest thing I've been involved in."

Superintendent Chris Barclay, head of operations in Haringey, said the Met was working hard to tackle dangerous dogs and the issues that surround them, including attacks on the public, being used as weapons in gang fights and dog-fighting, which is illegal.

In Match 2009, the Met set up a specialist Status Dogs Unit.

Superintendent Barclay said: "This case demonstrates that where someone uses a dog as a weapon we will do everything in our power to catch them and bring them to justice. If we receive a complaint or intelligence about illegal or potentially dangerous dogs we will investigate and take action.

"All dogs, especially certain breeds, need to be properly managed so they do not become aggressive and it is the responsibility of owners to keep their dogs under control."

He added: "I'm pleased to say that the officers that were attacked have returned to work and are on full operational duties. The fact that they returned so quickly is testament to their dedication to the police service and to the people of Haringey."