Woman fined for American Bully's involvement in fatal St Helens dog attack

Armani Costello, of Lingmell Avenue, Carr Mill, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 2, after pleading guilty to being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog.

The dog in question, an American Bully XL called 'Chopper', is owned by her father Paul Costello and was deemed to be "dangerously out of control" after a Jack Russell was mauled to death last year.

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The Jack Russell died after suffering three fatal puncture wounds (Image: Philip Webster)

Bearing teeth and snarling

Aaron Smith, prosecuting, explained how Phillip Webster's two Jack Russells were attacked by two large dogs as he left his property on Dunmail Avenue, Carr Mill, on July 27, 2021.

With both the large dogs off the lead, Freddie was violently shaken by a black bullmastiff-type dog while the American Bully acted aggressively by "bearing its teeth and snarling".

Freddie died as a result of three puncture wounds, while Philip suffered injuries to his arms trying to save his beloved pet.

With both of Philip's dogs reported to be on leads, the second Jack Russell managed to survive by hiding under a car.

Philip's son Harry, with his Jack Russells, Freddie and Bertie (Image: Philip Webster)

Never attacked anyone before

Carol Clark, defending, said that although 'Chopper' was off a lead, its owner "did not reasonably believe he would cause harm" as he was only seven-months-old and had never attacked anyone before.

Ms Clark said that Costello, who was 18 at the time of the attack, was a "young girl who let her guard down and was very upset" by the death of the Jack Russell.

It was said that Costello tried to do the best she could in the situation and was remorseful for the dog's actions.

Freddie suffered multiple wounds from the attack (Image: Philip Webster)

Dog under lifetime order

The judge on the case, DDJ Laura Nash, accepted that while the American Bully was dangerously out of control, it was not the animal that caused injury.

Taking Costello's remorse and guilty plea into account, she deemed that the woman remains a "fit and proper" person to take responsibility of the dog.

She sentenced Costello to pay a fine of £224 and for the American Bully to be under a lifetime Contingency Destruction Order; meaning that the dog must be kept on a lead at all times and cannot be walked by anyone under the age of 18.

If the rules of this order are breached or the dog is involved in another attack, it may be ordered to be put down.

The Webster family were devastated by the loss of Freddie (Image: Philip Webster)

DDJ Nash said: "While the dog did not injure anybody, it still bore its teeth and acted dangerously out of control in a public place.

"You say that the dog has never acted in this way and it came as a massive shock to you, so let this be a significant way to learn a serious lesson.

"The Contingency Destruction Order is appropriate in this case and it is your responsibility to keep the dog on a lead at all times and not to be walked by anyone under the age of 18."