Man trains dog to attack children, neighbours claim (From Basildon Recorder)

Man trains dog to attack children, neighbours claim

11:00am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News By Gina Marden

Man trains dog to attack children, neighbours claim

A MAN was arrested and his dog seized, after he allegedly trained it to attack people and intimidate children.

Residents in Bartlow End, Pitsea , were relieved when the rottweiler was taken away by police, claiming they had been left “frightened” by the animal.

They said the dog and its owner were a constant menace, with police acting on several complaints to arrest the 45-year-old man and take away his dog.

One resident, a woman in her Forties who would not be named, said: “Everyone was frightened of him and his dog and there have been loads of people who have had nasty encounters with them. We are all glad the dog has been taken away, although I do feel a bit sorry for it because it doesn’t know any better.”

Another man, who did not want to be named, added: “It took the dog wardens about 45 minutes to get the dog in the van. To be honest when they brought it out, it looked really frightened. It’s bad enough when people use their dogs to fight other dogs, but for a person to train their dog to attack people and intimidate children is mind boggling.

“If you get caught with a gun you might get five years, but this guy has trained his dog as a weapon.”

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed the arrest and seizure of the dog took place on Saturday.

He added: “A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of using threatening words and behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress and allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. Police also seized a rottweiler dog.”

The dog is thought to have been in a good state of health and is being kept at kennels in an undisclosed location. It is thought the canine will stay there until any court proceedings conclude, which will determine whether the dog should be destroyed.

The man has been released on bail until October, while police continue to speak to residents and investigate.