A former Army paratrooper whose dog fatally mauled a woman in her south London home has avoided a custodial sentence. Alex Blackburn-Smith, 35, from Croydon, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of his Neapolitan mastiff, Debo, which attacked Barbara Williams, 52, at her home in Wallington, Sutton.
Croydon Magistrates' Court ordered Blackburn-Smith to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £3,340 in costs. The court heard that the dog was kept in a cage that was too small, contributing to the attack. Ms Williams suffered a severe haemorrhage to her head and neck.
District Judge Robert Hunter described the case as 'an unusual situation' and said it had not crossed the custody threshold. Blackburn-Smith, who served eight years in the Army, was also banned from owning or handling animals.
The dog was shot dead by police after the attack, and another dog, a pit bull puppy called Ruby, was later put down. Sutton Council has called for stricter controls on 'status dogs' and urged government support for the Dog Control Bill, which would make it an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place.
