A man broke down in tears in court today after being charged with manslaughter over the death of a father-of-two in a dog attack in Wakefield.
Lee Ellis, 55, of Blacker Lane, is accused of unlawfully killing James Judge, also 55, who died in hospital after the alleged incident on Saturday, August 15.
Ellis appeared before District Judge Mark Daley at Bradford Magistrates Court. He is also accused of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury resulting in death.
Court details and charge
The court heard the animal involved was an Alsatian cross. West Yorkshire Police had previously identified the dog seized during its investigation as a German Shepherd.
Ellis, a self-employed farrier, was given tissues in court as he sat crying.
Incident and aftermath
Police received calls from 1.36pm on Saturday reporting an altercation which had taken place a short time earlier on the old trainline footpath off Blacker Lane. Officers said a man had been bitten by a dog during the incident.
Mr Judge was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after 7pm that evening. The dog understood by police to have been involved was seized following the incident and remains in police kennels.
Bail and next hearing
Ellis was granted bail on condition that he continues to live at his Blacker Lane address. He is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on September 16.
