A Pets at Home manager’s rottweiler ripped a chunk of flesh off a woman’s arm during an attack.
Adelaide Fernandez, 39, of Tansley Moor, Liden, was sentenced for being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (28 April).
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said that 40-kilogram rottweiler Packo jumped up at a 22-year-old female neighbour whilst she was cleaning a car on the driveway outside her home on 17 August 2021.
The 22-year-old immediately felt dizzy and light-headed, but she only realised the extent of her wounds when she removed her coat. The dog had “sunk its teeth” into her arm and ripped out a chunk of flesh, leaving a “massive hole”.
Her partner, who was present at the scene, called an ambulance but later decided to take her to Great Western Hospital himself. She underwent operations under both local and then general anaesthetic.
The victim had to attend John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for plastic surgery after it was found that the bite punctured a blood vessel and caused the skin around the wound to die.
Mr Ballinger said Fernandez ran off and hid behind a car following the incident.
In a police interview, the defendant said she believed she was in control of the dog, which was on a lead – but the pet, weighing 40kg, pulled away from her.
The victim said the injury resulted in her inability to raise or straighten her arm – and struggles to make the bed or lift heavy items, which impeeds her work in retail.
She said that her doctor diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the incident. She claims anything relating to dogs triggers her PTSD.
“Every time I hear a dog I get nervous and start crying”, she wrote in a victim impact statement. Adding: “I used to be a dog lover.”
Pc Thomas, of Wiltshire Police, confirmed that – despite being deliberately misled by the new owner – Packo was located in Kent and voluntarily handed over to the force. The dog will be put to sleep.
Representing herself in court, Fernandez said she rescued the dog and “did all I could to train him”, adding that she has been suspended from her role as assistant store manager at Pets as Home due to these court proceedings. She told the magistrates that Packo was insured at the time.
The bench imposed an £80 fine, and told her to pay costs of £85 and a £34 surcharge. She was not banned from owning dogs in the future.
Magistrates decided that it would not be appropriate to award any compensation due to the potential for civil proceedings in due course.
