A Stockton man is set to be deported after he directed his two dogs to attack a woman, leaving her with serious injuries. Mario Kaco, 44, clicked his fingers to set his Cane Corsos, Pablo and Ricco, on the victim in Riverhead Avenue on 3 December last year.
The woman sustained multiple deep puncture wounds to her legs, which required steri-strips, and told police she believed she could have lost her life during the incident. Teesside Crown Court heard that the victim had been arguing with another woman when Kaco and a second man arrived in a blue Audi.
Attack Details
Prosecutor Caroline McGurk said the men shouted at the victim in broken English, getting directly in her face. The second man began a physical assault while Kaco clicked his fingers, prompting the dogs to lunge forward. The victim said: "I was terrified. I knew I was about to be attacked by these massive dogs."
The dogs bit her legs repeatedly, with the victim describing the pain as like being stabbed. Both men and the other woman joined in the assault as the dogs continued to bite. The incident lasted about five minutes, ending when Kaco stamped on the ground, though one dog bit her leg once more.
Court Proceedings
In a victim impact statement, the woman said: "This incident as a while has left me feeling terrified and traumatised. I can't believe such a brutal thing has happened to me... the incident could have been deadly to me if those dogs have managed to put me to the floor. I dread to think what could have happened."
Kaco, who has 28 previous convictions for 61 offences, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury, and knowingly entering the UK in breach of a deportation order. He had been issued with a deportation order in August 2017, which he breached on four occasions.
Sentencing and Deportation
Judge Tom Mitchell told Kaco: "It must have been absolutely terrifying for her when you [set the dogs on her]. They bit her and they mauled her. It must have been the longest five minutes of that poor woman's life." He noted that Kaco had used the dogs as a highly dangerous weapon.
Kaco, of Westbourne Street, Stockton, was sentenced to three years in prison. The judge also issued a destruction order for Pablo, while the fate of Ricco is yet to be determined. The court was informed that Kaco would be deported.
