Man denies failing to control his dog (From Gazette Series)

Man denies failing to control his dog

A DURSLEY man has pleaded not guilty to two counts of failing to keep his dog under control.

Richard Henry Cooke, 58, of Long Street, Dursley, also pleaded not guilty to four counts of failing to comply with an order to keep a dog under control, when he appeared before South Gloucestershire magistrates sitting in Stroud last Friday.

The first charge was that Mr Cooke's dog, Jake, injured a 13-year-old boy in Chestal, Dursley, on February 1 this year. The boy sustained bruises and bite marks on his right arm as he attempted to pull Jake and his own dog apart after Mr Cooke's dog had grabbed the other dog by the neck, the court was told.

The second charge relates to an incident a day later when it is alleged that a 14-year-old boy received three puncture marks to his right thumb after he was bitten on the hand by Jake.

The charges of failing to comply with orders relate to four orders made late last year and earlier this year.

Mr Hayes told the court: "Jake was made the subject of a muzzling order in December 2004."

He added that the matter could be dealt with either by magistrates or by a jury at crown court.

Mr Cooke requested that it remained within the jurisdiction of magistrates. A pre-trial review was set for Gloucester magistrates on Tuesday, July 19.

On leaving the dock Mr Cooke told magistrates: "Sorry to be a nuisance to you."