An 88-year-old council rights of way officer, Susan Greene, was viciously attacked by a dog while walking on a public footpath near a farm, resulting in severe injuries. The incident occurred when Yogi, an old English bulldog, attacked Mrs. Greene, causing her significant distress and injuries to her right calf.
Mrs. Greene, wife of a vicar, managed to escape by limping to her bicycle and pedaling away from the scene with blood gushing from her wounds. She was later hospitalized for four days and left with serious scarring.
The dog’s owner, Graham Habberfield, a beef and dairy farmer, was unaware of the attack until questioned by the police. Yogi, already subject to a control order due to a previous biting incident, was ordered to be destroyed by a crown court judge to protect public safety. Habberfield pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control and was ordered to pay Mrs. Greene £4,500 in compensation.
The court heard that despite previous incidents, Habberfield had failed to adequately secure his property and warn passersby of the presence of dogs. Despite his efforts to prevent further escapes, the judge was not convinced that Yogi posed no danger to the public, leading to the destruction order.
Mrs. Greene’s injuries were described as severe, with the judge expressing concern over the dog’s past behavior and the potential ongoing risk to the public. Habberfield has 28 days to appeal the destruction order.
The incident highlights the importance of responsible dog ownership and adherence to control orders to prevent harm to the public.
