York man’s American Pocket Bully terriers attacked other dogs on four different occasions, court hears

A pet owner whose terriers attacked other dogs at four different times has been taken to court.

Ben Cairns, 32, of Foxwood Lane, York, owns three American Pocket Bullies, a cross breed between an American Staffordshire Terrier and an American Pit Bull Terrier.

On four occasions during 2019, Mr Cairn’s dogs escaped from his control in the area where he lives, and attacked three small cross breeds and a Labrador cross which needed veterinary treatment.

The owners suffered considerable distress too.

Ben Cairns appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (15 January), where he was served with multiple control orders for his dogs, all with the same conditions. These include

• ensuring that each dog is kept under proper control at all times
• securing the property and boundary where they are kept to prevent them from escaping
• ensuring the dogs wear a muzzle and collar identifying the owner’s name and address
• and keeping each dog on a fixed-length lead at all time when in a public place.

Remains responsible

While Mr Cairns has since re-homed one of his dogs, he is still its owner and will remain responsible for ensuring that the current keepers abide by the control order.

Any breaches of the order will be Mr Cairns’ responsibility and could result in a £1,000 fine and, potentially, the possibility of the dogs being removed from his care.

Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said:

• We will not tolerate irresponsible dog owners who do not take sufficient care to ensure their dogs are not a danger to other dogs, or cause fear to residents.

  We welcome the order issued by York Magistrates and will monitor and enforce the conditions to ensure compliance.