Two women have been sentenced to a year in prison after their dog mauled a 79-year-old man to death in his garden. Hayley Sulley, 30, and Della Woods, 29, both of Liverpool, admitted charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act following the death of retired hospital porter Clifford Clarke in May 2013.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mr Clarke was 'eaten alive' by the dog, a Presa Canario and bull mastiff cross, which had not been fed for 45 hours. The animal attacked him when he opened his back door while cooking a meal. The dog also bit the end of a police officer's gun before being shot twice by a marksman.
Judge Mark Brown described the death as 'entirely avoidable' and said Mr Clarke died in 'truly horrific circumstances'. The women had left the 5st (31kg) dog, named Charlie, in their garden without water or shade while they attended a barbecue. Neighbours reported the animal was foaming at the mouth and appeared to be eating Mr Clarke's arm.
The court heard that the dog sank its teeth into Mr Clarke's arm and dragged him around his garden, chewing off one arm at the elbow and mauling the other. Neighbour Michael Rankin heard Mr Clarke shout 'get off me' and saw the dog 'pulling his arm off'.
Judge Brown said the women were fortunate not to have been charged with manslaughter. They also pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and have been banned from keeping dogs. The judge noted that tougher penalties for dog owners had been introduced in May but could not be applied retrospectively.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Clarke's brother Kenny said: 'My brother did not deserve this. It must have been the most horrific death in peacetime.' After the hearing, he added: 'If they can afford the dog, they can afford a muzzle.'
