A social worker will lose her job after her elderly dog bit a passing man on the leg whilst she was taking it for a walk.
Mother-of-two Gillian Donagh, 64, had 12-year-old Lyra on a lead when the dog unexpectedly bit businessman Ronen Goodfriend on his right calf as the pair walked past each other.
Mr Goodfriend, 51, said he had been walking four dogs with a friend when he suddenly felt a sharp pain and upon turning around saw Plummer Terrier Lyra letting go of his leg.
As he pulled his jeans up, he saw the bite mark and blood dripping down his leg, Sefton magistrates court heard.
The criminal conviction of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury means Ms Donagh will no longer be able to work in her career as a social worker and Lyra now has to wear a muzzle in public.
Mother-of-two Gillian Donagh, 64, had 12-year-old Lyra on a lead when the dog unexpectedly bit a passerby
Lyra was described by Ms Donagh’s lawyer as a source of ‘comfort and cuddles and has never previously shown any type of aggression or violence towards any person’
Ronen Goodfriend also appears to be a dog owner as he was pictured with one at the beach on his Instagram page
Police were called to the scene at Crosby Marina in Liverpool following the bite attack.
Officers later visited Ms Donagh at her home in nearby Brighton le Sands where they assessed Lyra as being ‘pleasant and playful’ and showing no signs of aggression.
Ms Donagh later said Lyra may have overacted due to three of the other dogs not being on a lead.
At Sefton magistrates court, she admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Goodfriend.
She was also fined £185 and ordered to pay £120 in costs.
The criminal conviction means Ms Donagh will no longer be able to work in her career as a social worker.
Her lawyer said she had planned on continuing to work for Sefton Council but her future had ‘disappeared in the twinkling of an eye’.
Lyra will now be subject to a contingent destruction order which could result in her being destroyed if she misbehaves again.
She must be kept on a muzzle and on a lead in public places and can only be walked by a person 18 or over.
The bite happened at 10am on April 19 last year.
Lyra will now have to wear a muzzle and be on a lead in public places. She can also only be walked by a person 18 or over
The criminal conviction means Ms Donagh will no longer be able to work in her career as a social worker
Mr Goodfriend was walking four dogs with a friend when he was bitten by Lyra
Prosecutor Miss Natasha Williamson told the court that police attended Ms Donagh’s home following the incident.
She said: ‘The dog was recorded on a body-worn camera and the dog’s demeanour was described as pleasant and very playful.
‘It did not display any signs of aggression. The defendant said that it was the first incident of this nature. The dog had never formed any aggression prior to this.
‘The defendant appears before the court as a woman of previous character. She has no previous convictions. But the complainant has received quite a nasty bite mark to his right calf.’
In mitigation Ms Donagh’s solicitor Mark Ellis told the Justices of the Peace: ‘It is rather ironic that the complainant’s name is Mr Goodfriend as Lyra has been a good friend to the defendant’s family for the entire 12 years they have had her.
‘Lyra is turned to for support for walking, comfort and cuddles and has never previously shown any type of aggression or violence towards any person.
‘I invite you to consider references from the professional dog walker and the social worker. The dog walker has known that since the incident occurred Ms Donagh has trained Lyra to accept a muzzle, she accepts it very well. She is always on a lead.
‘Mr Goodfriend had four dogs, three of which were not on leads, one was on a lead. As they walked past in close proximity suddenly Lyra unexpectedly turns and bites Mr Goodfriend.
Ms Donagh’s lawyer said she had planned on continuing to work for Sefton Council but her future had ‘disappeared in the twinkling of an eye’
Lyra could be destroyed if she bites anyone again. Ms Donagh later said Lyra may have overacted due to three of the other dogs not being on a lead
Mr Ellis told the court Lyra did not run after Mr Goodfriend and by the time he had turned around it had already released its grip.
He said the attack was over in ‘milliseconds’.
‘This lady is a responsible person. She takes her responsibilities to society very seriously indeed’ he said.
‘She apologised at the scene and offered details to Mr Goodfriend. Regrettably Mr Goodfriend was with another person who was quite angry. He was clearly upset about what had gone on.
‘The defendant says it was the first incident of this nature. It is a playful and adoring dog that is never aggressive.
‘The defendant can only put it down to the three dogs that were not on the lead for Lyra to behave in the way that she did. Since that time she’s made sure that the dog is always muzzled and on a lead. This incident won’t happen again.
Mr Ellis continued: ‘The ramifications are extremely significant. She works at Sefton Council at 64 years of age and will have to continue working. She won’t retire anytime soon and will become self-employed at 66, working for Sefton Council and other councils.
‘If she has any convictions she will be automatically barred from doing that type of work. Her conviction here today will probably mean that at 66 she will not find any work at all. You have before you a very contrite lady of 64 years of age, somebody who loses her good name. Her exit strategy has disappeared in a twinkling of an eye.
‘In milliseconds of this happening the defendant loses a chance of earning any extra money from 66 onwards. This was an isolated incident. There were no previous complaints or incidents involving the dog. There is evidence before the court of responsible ownership. There is genuine remorse. The lady is of good character and she has taken steps to address the offending behaviour.
‘It was an isolated incident. Thankfully there is no evidence of significant medical treatment required. It was unpleasant for Mr Goodfriend but my concerns for my client are the ramifications of the conviction.
‘It is probably worth saying that the first thing she said when I saw her was, ‘I want to make sure that the gentleman receives some compensation so that he will know how very sorry I am about what happened.
At Sefton magistrates court Ms Donagh admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Goodfriend. She was also fined £185 and ordered to pay £120 in costs
‘She has worked hand in hand with society for many years. She is a very thoughtful and caring person who is devastated that this happened.
‘The trauma of having to come to court and walk in the dock and find herself convicted, I would respectfully submit, is punishment itself.
‘People who work in the court system are so used to being here day in and day out, but people who have never been in trouble before, they come shaking like the proverbial MFI wardrobe when coming through the door.
‘The court can be sure that Lyra will never act in that way again.’
Ms Donagh was also fined £185 and ordered to pay £120 in costs. Justice Michael Readitt told her: ‘This has been quite a testing case to hear but the fact is that your dog attacked another person.’