A dog is to be ‘destroyed’ after a woman used it as a weapon while shoplifting in Swindon – and it later mauled a neighbour’s cat to death.
Sophie Sheppard pleaded guilty to three counts of being in control of a dog dangerously out of control and one count of common assault following a serious of incidents.
The 34-year-old, of Akers Way, was caught attempting to shoplift from the Morrisons store on Thames Avenue on 30 March.
When she was approached by the manager, after she left the shop, she untied her dog – a Mastiff-cross named Blue – and threatened to set it on him.
Then on 11 April, her dog attacked another dog on Moredon Road and bit its owner. Sheppard also subjected the victim to verbal abuse during the encounter.
A further incident occurred on 26 April in Elborough Road, where her dog bit another dog on the leg, causing injury.
Just a week later, on 3 May, the same dog jumped over a garden fence in Akers Way and killed a neighbour’s cat in a vicious attack.
Police issued a public appeal to identify the woman involved in the incidents a few days later – with officers later arresting Sheppard and seizing her dog.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court, she was sentenced for numerous theft and assault offences alongside the aforementioned dog-related crimes.
Sheppard must complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days as part of an 18-month community order. She was also banned from owning or keeping dogs for five years.
The court made a destruction order for Blue – meaning it will be put to sleep in due course.
Court documents state that the defendant “used the dog to make threats of violence”, thus is “not a fit and proper person” to own a dog.
It also read: “The owner has attended dog safety course, but further repeat offending has occurred since the course.”
PC Paul Croft, from Wiltshire’s Police dogs team, said: “We are aware this dog caused a significant amount of concern in the local community and required other pedestrians and dog walkers to go out of their way to avoid her.
“Sheppard showed no inclination to train her dog and get it under better control, and instead verbally abused the victims and threatened to set it upon them.
“I’m pleased that the courts have recognised the severity of her actions and have disqualified her from owning any dogs for the next five years.”
