A dog owner has been banned from keeping animals after two dogs attacked another pet in a street in Nottinghamshire, leaving it with severe injuries. Denise Donner, 53, of St Michael's Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, admitted two counts of owning dogs that were dangerously out of control, possessing a fighting dog and allowing a fighting dog to be in a public place without a muzzle or lead.
Attack in Kirkby-in-Ashfield
The incident happened shortly before 5pm on July 14 last year in Rosewood Drive, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Ernie, a Cockerpoo, was being walked by his owner when two dogs, identified as a Pitbull Terrier and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, ran towards them. Fearing the dogs were about to attack, Ernie's owner picked him up. But the animals jumped up at him, scratching his stomach, chest and chin.
When Ernie was put back on the ground, the dogs continued their attack. They were described as "very strong and determined" and continued despite attempts by Ernie's owner and members of the public to stop them. The dogs were eventually scared away and ran off.
Emergency veterinary treatment
Police were called following the attack, while Ernie was taken to a veterinary surgery for treatment. An experienced veterinary nurse who treated him said she had never seen an animal with such severe injuries before. Veterinary staff stayed behind to operate on Ernie until around 11pm that evening.
The two dogs involved in the attack were also brought into the same veterinary surgery later that day after being found as strays. Their owner, Denise Donner, was identified when she went to collect them. Donner told staff she would return with money to pay Ernie's veterinary bill, but she did not return to settle the costs.
Court sentencing
A dog legislation officer and expert in identifying prohibited breeds subsequently confirmed that one of Donner's dogs was a Pitbull Terrier. The breed is prohibited under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Donner appeared at Mansfield Magistrates' Court for sentencing on Wednesday, August 19.
The court ordered her to pay £2,450 compensation to Ernie's owner and £2,000 towards kennelling costs. She was also banned from keeping dogs for five years. The court made an order for the two dogs to be destroyed unless an appeal is lodged within 21 days. The decision was made because of the animals' temperament and previous behaviour, as well as the court finding Donner was not a fit and proper person to keep dogs.
Previous attack link
Police also obtained evidence linking the same dogs to another serious attack. In May 2025, Donner's dogs badly mauled a Shih Tzu Terrier Cross in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. The animal subsequently had to be put down.
Inspector Keith Croft, district commander for Ashfield, said incidents involving dogs can cause considerable concern in local communities, particularly when people are threatened or injured. "We can only hope that this distressing case reminds dog owners of their responsibilities and provides a stark warning about the importance of keeping animals under control in public places at all times," he said. He added that police would act on information about suspected irresponsible dog ownership where offences are identified and there is sufficient evidence.
Dog owners are legally responsible for keeping their animals under control in public and can face criminal action if their dogs are dangerously out of control.
