This is the terrifying moment a binman is attacked by a rescue dog as he collects rubbish on New Year’s Eve.
Jack Marr, 25, had been peacefully walking his Belgian Malinois on a lead past the refuse collector, in Workington, on December 31.
But, things took a turn for the worst when the dog, Kenya, became provoked and sunk her teeth into the binman’s arm, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.
Shocking video footage shows the animal latching onto the victim and dragging him onto the floor.
Outlining the case, Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the victim was at work on the morning of New Year’s Eve and was collecting bins.
He was returning to the bin lorry when Marr walked towards him with Kenya on a lead, News and Star reports.
He heard Marr say to the dog, ‘watch him, lad, watch him’.
Ms Fee said the pet then launched itself towards the binman before latching onto his arm and pulling him to the ground.
His colleague, the wagon driver, was shouting, ‘just kick it’.
Fortunately, Kenya then let go of the binman’s arm and he was able to escape to the safety of the vehicle.
His supervisor came to collect him and they then went to the police station.
In a statement the victim said his work clothing had stopped the animal from puncturing his skin but bite marks were visible on his arm in photos shown to the court.
The dog was seized by police and Marr was questioned over the incident.
He said the dog was ‘protective’ and that he would never set her on anyone.
The defendant also said he had been ‘in a world of his own’ when the binman suddenly appeared and that he had ‘panicked’ when the dog latched onto the worker.
He told police that he had rescued Kenya last year after he found her tied up on a beach.
Marr said Kenya behaves better when she isn’t on a lead and that she ‘snaps’ if someone approaches her when she is being lead.
He added that she is good with children and has ‘always been fine’ with his six-year-old nephew.
Marr also claimed Kenya was trained to respond to basic commands.
He said he got her under control and took her away after the bite.
Marr said the bite was ‘an accident’ and said he ‘should have been on the ball’ when the binman came round the corner.
Ms Fee said Kenya had been in kennels since the incident and the kennel costs owed to Cumbria Constabulary were £2,436.
John Cooper, defending, said it was a ‘sad’ case and that Marr did not want the dog to be destroyed.
Mr Cooper told the court how they wouldn’t be able to fight a destruction order as Mr Marr could not afford legal aid.
He also added how there were no indications that the dog had bitten anyone before and said Marr quickly got Kenya ‘reasonably under control’.
‘It’s the dog that is going to suffer. It’s the dog that is going to be destroyed,’ he said.
Marr, of Archer Street, Harrington, Workington, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
Marr was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
He must pay £200 in compensation to the victim and £250 towards the kennel costs.
A destruction order was made for the dog.