Owner jailed after danger dog bit arm of passer-by

ALSATIAN SHOULD HAVE HAD MUZZLE ON, COURT HEARS

- By POPPY KENNEDY [e-mail] @ReporterPoppy

Ben Heke has been jailed for 20 months

A DOG owner left his dangerous Alsatian tied up outside a community centre before it attacked a passerby on his way to the Post Office.

Ben Heke had already been convicted of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog after the Alsatian bit a police officer at McDonald’s in Normanby’s Trunk Road in 2023.

Less than a year later, despite the dog being subject to a contingent destruction order following previous court proceedings, Heke left the dog tied up outside Whale Hill Community Centre in Redcar on July 20, 2024.

Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said: “The complainant left his vehicle to visit the Post Office.

“As he got out of the vehicle the Alsatian barked at him. He kept his distance and did not engage with the dog.