Dog owners fined for leaving four-legged companions off their leash

Owner of bitten chihuahua says bull terrier should not be put down

The owner of a bull terrier who, last January attacked another canine at the Ta’ Qali dog park, has been fined €70.29 after being held responsible for the incident by leaving his four-legged companion off its leash.

The owner of the bitten chihuahua was also fined €23.29 as it too had not been on a leash.

Nigel Caruana, owner of the bull terrier, and Christian Seychell, owner of the chihuahua, had been arraigned before magistrate Consuelo Scerrera, who heard several witnesses describe the attack.

Seychell, who was injured as he tried to snatch his pooch from the terrier's jaws, did not want the bull terrier be put down, the court was told.

He confirmed that Caruana had paid the €1,000 veterinary bill for his dog.

Caruana testified that his dog had been playing with children moments before the horrific attack.

He said that he had commissioned a dog expert to compile a report on the dog in question and it had been “certified as not aggressive.”

Lawyer Martin Fenech, appearing for Seychell, argued that the case would have been more serious if the bull terrier had attacked a baby.

The court however, disagreed with the argument that because the bull terrier had attacked a chihuahua and not a person, its owner was not responsible.

The court fined both men €23.29 for leaving their dogs off the leash and Caruana another €50 for causing the incident.

Lawyer Michael Sciriha appeared for Caruana.