A man whose XL bully attacked a pedestrian and another dog, leading police to discover a cannabis farm at his home, has been jailed for repeatedly breaching a court order.
Baskaran Eliyathamby, 52, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, where he admitted breaching the requirements of a community order. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Attack on man and dog
The court heard that on September 6 2023, Stephen Wallace was walking his ex-partner's Cockalier in the Tranmere area when he encountered Eliyathamby holding an unmuzzled XL bully by its collar. The XL bully, which was not a banned breed at the time, broke free, and Mr Wallace attempted to flee.
Prosecutor Zahra Baqri described how the XL bully bit Mr Wallace on the buttocks and right thigh, causing several scratches. The attack continued after Mr Wallace picked up his dog to protect it, and he was knocked to the ground when he was further bitten on the hand.
Dog dragged along road
The XL bully then bit the Cockalier on the neck and shoulder area before dragging it along the road as it "screamed in pain". Mr Wallace said he "genuinely thought" his ex-partner's pet was "going to be killed" and tried to prise the other dog off, but the XL bully again bit his hand and "locked on" while still holding the Cockalier by the neck.
A resident of a nearby house attempted to loosen the dog's grip using a crowbar without success. Police later arrived at the scene to find "a lot of blood".
Mr Wallace underwent surgery on both hands after sustaining nerve and tendon damage. The Cockalier had an emergency operation due to a "deep puncture wound" to the throat and spent two days in veterinary care.
Cannabis farm discovered
Officers attended Eliyathamby's then home on Brougham Avenue and discovered 12 "small, immature" cannabis plants. Eliyathamby, who is originally from Sri Lanka, maintained the XL bully belonged to an unnamed friend staying with him, who he said was also responsible for the drug operation.
In March last year, he was handed a two-year community order after pleading guilty to being in charge of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control and permitting premises to be used in the production of cannabis.
However, he breached the order twice, in August 2025 and February 2026, before missing appointments and losing contact with the Probation Service. He had apparently moved to Croydon without informing the authorities. A warrant was issued for his arrest on September 17, and he was detained in the London area on October 12.
Jailed for 15 months
Eliyathamby has a total of 14 previous convictions for 21 offences, including being fined for possession of crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis on three occasions since receiving his community order.
Harvey Appleby, defending, said Eliyathamby had misunderstood the terms of his order and had continued to engage with alcohol treatment in Croydon. He said Eliyathamby had moved to escape negative influences in Birkenhead and wanted to reconnect with his two teenage children.
Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: "You have, today, admitted for now the third time being in breach of a community order, imposed at this crown court. You fell out of contact with probation, leading to this, your third breach."
He added: "Mr Wallace and his dog were subjected to a terrifying ordeal, when an XL bully that was under your control but unleashed and unmuzzled attacked Mr Wallace and his dog. The severity of the injuries to both Mr Wallace and the dog have been outlined. I have no doubt that the psychological impact on Mr Wallace was clearly profound."
The judge concluded: "I am satisfied that you have persistently breached the terms of your community order. I am satisfied that no sentence other than an immediate custodial sentence can mark the seriousness of your offending."
