Woman guilty after Staffie kills Jack Russell in Charlton

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE

John Lawrence Kane, 83, was walking his dog Daisy at the Cherry Orchard Estate when a large dog escaped its lead and ran at them. 

Daisy suffered a bite which killed her while John was left with a severe hand injury which was deep enough to expose his bone. 

Charlie Perry, 33, was the owner of the dog – a large brown Staffordshire Bull Terrier mixed with a boxer breed – which carried out the attack on the morning of Saturday, July 13. 

She appeared at London’s dog court, Willesden Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday (October 3) and pleaded guilty to charges of being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control and caused injury. 

Prosecutor Edward Kalber explained that the incident took place at 10.15am when Perry’s dog escaped its lead and ran across the road at John and Daisy. 

Sean Kane, John's son, previously told the News Shopper: “When this happened, my dad literally had to bring the dog home by himself.  

"Daisy was obviously dead in his arms, and he had a serious hand injury and he had to walk about 400 yards back to the house.  

“When my sister opened the door and they saw what had happened, my mum, who is unwell and on oxygen, almost ended up back in the hospital again.  

“I've never seen my dad cry like that. My dad's a pretty tough character. He witnessed it and couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't get this dog off.” 

Daisy the Jack Russell died as a result of the attack (Image: Sean Kane) In a victim impact statement read on his behalf in court, John said the physical pain in his hand was immense. 

“As an elderly man this injury has significantly impacted my ability to carry out simple daily tasks.” 

John added that Daisy was a central part of his daily routine and that losing her has made him more isolated as he no longer has a reason to walk and stay active. 

“The sense of loss and the fear of encountering similar situations has also caused me to withdraw,” John said. 

John's injured hand following the attack (Image: Sean Kane) John’s son, Sean, said: “Daisy was a lovely family dog, very good-natured, and wouldn't hurt anyone. She had a unique way of asking for treats by sitting on her backside with her paws up.” 

The court heard that Perry, of Shirley House Drive in Charlton, has two previous convictions including one for a serious assault in 2020. 

Her dog has been in kennels since it was seized at the cost of £1,600, the court heard. 

Perry cried in the dock as prosecutor Mr Kalber said: “We are seeking a full destruction order for this dog.” 

In mitigation, the court heard that Perry did everything she could to stop the attack, including trying to separate the dogs and put her hands in her dogs' mouth. 

The case was adjourned until November for sentencing, at which time the court will also decide whether the dog should be destroyed.