Man jailed for fatal dog attack on family pet in Stockport

A dog owner was visibly emotional in court as he received a prison sentence for a fatal dog attack on a family pet.

Jordan Smith’s dog, Nala, attacked Yorkshire terrier cross Harry in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in July last year. Harry’s injuries were so severe that he had to be euthanised, leaving his owner, 77-year-old Christine Robinson, heartbroken.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Robinson and her friend were also injured in the incident. Smith, 32, had been walking Nala off the lead when the dog ran off. CCTV footage showed Smith kicking Nala aggressively, according to prosecutor Simon Parry at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Nala then headed towards Reddish Vale Country Park where Robinson was walking Harry with her friend Joan McGovern. The dog charged at them and targeted Harry. Robinson managed to move her dog away momentarily, but Nala soon grabbed Harry and began to shake him violently.

Despite desperate attempts by the women to save Harry, they were overpowered by Nala’s strength. During the struggle, Nala bit Robinson, and both women were knocked to the ground.

Nala eventually released Harry, who was taken to a veterinary hospital. However, his injuries were deemed so severe that euthanasia was the only option, Parry informed the court.

Robinson needed hospital treatment for her hand injuries, while McGovern sustained cuts and bruises. Police later seized Nala, and Smith eventually identified himself as the owner, though he initially denied his dog’s responsibility.

Smith’s police interview showed him as unfit to be a responsible dog owner, Parry noted. The court decided that Nala would be humanely destroyed and banned Smith indefinitely from owning a dog.

Smith received an eight-month jail sentence after admitting to charges of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog. He was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

In a court statement, Robinson expressed her grief over the fatal dog attack: “My little Harry didn’t stand a chance. He only weighed 7.5 kilos and suffered from arthritis. He didn’t deserve to die like that.”

Smith’s barrister, Graham Rishton, mentioned his client’s troubled past, including 42 previous offences and a period of homelessness. Smith had recently found stable housing and worked as a painter and decorator. Rishton urged the judge to consider leniency, but Judge Tina Landale emphasised the lasting impact on Robinson, stating Smith showed no genuine remorse.

Judge Landale concluded, “The trauma of that event, and the impact on Mrs Robinson has been completely devastating. She lives with the consequences of your offence, and will live with the consequences of your offence for the rest of her life. It is clear that she has lost a well loved family member. In the pre-sentence report it is clear that you are not genuinely remorseful. In reality, there is little mitigation.”