Bull terrier saved after fight with the law; DANGEROUS DOG CHARGE DROPPED.Byline: LINDA RICHARDS WHEN he was branded dangerous, a Tyneside community came out in force to stop him being put down. Petitions were organised to save 12-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Staffordshire bull terrier a small (24-38 lb), very muscular and solidly built dog with broad head, moderately short muzzle, half-pricked ears and medium length tail. The coat is smooth and short and comes in many colors. See also american staffordshire terrier. Homer after owner Barry Horne
Homer, described as "geriatric" by his vet, ended up in the dog house when he fought with an Alsatian in the car park of The Cottage Garden Cottage gardens are English in origin and are typically profusely planted, and random and carefree in form. Their creation or revival in the 1870s followed a fashion for wild gardens and naturalistic plantings, as a relief from mid-century bedding-out schemes using massed colours Nursery at Eighton Banks, Gateshead. Horne, 48, tried to separate the animals and was joined by four people from the nursery on Galloping Green Road. But tempers got frayed and Horne swung a punch at the group, hitting one of them, a court heard. Horne was attacked in retaliation before the dogs were eventually separated. Horne, of Rosemary Gardens, Eighton Banks, was charged with assault and keeping a dangerous dog following the July 24 incident. It was feared magistrates would sentence Homer to death when the case came to court, prompting a petition in The Clock, Quarryman's Arms and Coach and Horses pubs in Wrekenton, where Homer is a regular with Horne and his wife June. But to the couple's relief, police dropped the dangerous dog charge. Gateshead magistrates ordered Homer to be kept under proper control. Horne, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to assault and was given a conditional discharge A conditional discharge is a sentence passed by a court whereby the defendant is not punished provided he complies with certain conditions. An absolute discharge is unconditional: in some jurisdictions, where no conditions are imposed at all, in others where the conditions for a year. Defending, Chris Blackburn said: "Homer is 12, which in human years makes him in his 80s. A vet has described him as a geriatric dog. He has cataracts and possibly osteoarthritis osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease Most common joint disorder, afflicting over 80% of those who reach age 70. It does not involve excessive inflammation and may have no symptoms, especially at first. ." He added: "Homer is not only regarded affectionately by his owners, but by everyone in the area. He is a very gentle, friendly animal." After the case Mrs Horne, 40, said she and her husband are relieved that Homer, a rescue dog, has been saved. "It's been a traumatic ordeal for us," she said. "For the past three months we have been really stressed. "The community has been brilliant. They knew Homer wasn't dangerous - everyone knows he's an extremely gentle, affectionate dog and no trouble at all." Staff at The Clock pub, on Springwell Avenue, were delighted when the Hornes told them the news. Owner Rob Burns, 52, said: "We were very concerned that Homer would lose his life. He comes in all the time with Barry and June. He's well-known and everyone loves him." Barmaid Michelle Daglish said: "Homer is so placid, he's not dangerous. "He comes in and gets his cheese and onion crisps, which he opens himself. "Everyone was upset about the court case." |
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