Dad broke his ban to walk dog (From Gazette Series)

Dad broke his ban to walk dog

A BEREAVED father who took his late son's Staffordshire bull terrier out for walks although he was banned from being in control of a dog for four years, has been conditionally discharged by magistrates in Stroud.

David John Johansen told the court that walking the dog was his only pleasure in life following the death of his son Kristian in a car crash last year.

Johansen, 50, of Upper Poole Road, Dursley, admitted walking the terrier in Silver Street on November 24 and Union Street on January 21.

Prosecuting, Malcolm Hayes said the defendant had been banned from walking dogs alone after appearing in court in April last year over an animal that had been found to be dangerously out of control.

The dog at the centre of the ban was later put down, the court heard.

Defending, Nicola Berryman said Johansen and his wife ended up living with the dog when their son Kristian moved in with them after the breakdown of a relationship.

Last summer Kristian was killed in a road accident.

Mrs Berryman said the dog that had been out with the defendant in November and January was an elderly cross-breed which had never caused any problems.

The dog was normally walked by Mrs Johansen or the couple's other son, with the defendant sometimes joining them.

"On the occasions for which Mr Johansen is charged, Mrs Johansen was indisposed, the son was out and Mr Johansen felt he had to take the dog out because he felt it was cruel not to do so," said Mrs Berryman.

"The dog had not caused any problem but Mr Johansen was seen walking alone with the dog by the police."

The defendant told the court: "Since my son's loss I have been in a sort of freefall. The dog is just an old girl but all I get pleasure from is taking her out."

The bench made Johansen the subject of a 12-month conditional discharge and told him not to take out the dog on his own again.