Housing officer thought he was going to die after dogs attacked him

A council housing officer feared, "this is it, I'm dead," when he was savaged by two dogs during a visit to a client.

- by Karon Kelly

The dogs were at the home of Alison Kennard.

The victim, who is also a world champion kickboxer, had called to Alison Kennard's address for a visit on behalf of South Tyneside Homes but noticed two dogs in the garden, knew something "didn't feel right" and started to leave.

Prosecutor Miah Nath told Newcastle Crown Court: "The next thing he recalls was him being attacked."

The court heard the two dogs were a brown staffy named Tyson, who belonged to Kennard and was already subject to a contingent destruction order after a previous attack on a teenager and another dog named Hank, who was owned by someone else.

The animals had started snarling before they pounced on the council worker, who ended up on the ground twice while his feet and legs were being mauled.