A dog which attacked 3 women – leaving one of them needing 22-stitches for an injury to her elbow – was ‘destroyed’ shortly after the incident, a court has heard.
Karen Crews, 58, of Queens Road in Freshwater, admitted 3 counts of being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury when she appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier today (Tuesday).
Liz Miller, prosecuting on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court that Police received reports of an ongoing dog attack on Queens Road at around 10:00 on 16th December 2025.
The most seriously injured victim was attacked as she and her husband walked past Merlin – a Belgian Shepherd – who had been barking outside his home. The victim suffered serious injuries to her elbow, requiring 22 stitches.
The other 2 victims, who suffered bruising, were attacked as they attempted to help the first victim from the floor.
Members of the public helped the injured woman, while Crews managed to regain control of Merlin and restrain him in a crate.
Following the incident, Crews contacted Police and also spoke with vets about the next steps, including discussions surrounding the dog’s ‘destruction’.
The court heard that the victim had been suffering from ‘daily flashbacks’ and had been unable to sleep following the attack.
Liz Miller also told the court that Merlin had previously bitten another person, with Crews having been handed a community resolution order. As part of that order, she had been instructed to keep the dog under control while in both the front and rear garden of the property.
Defending, Oscar Vincent said Crews was an experienced and responsible dog owner. He added that she had attempted to get Merlin under control during the incident.
The court also heard that, following Merlin’s ‘destruction’ in the week after the attack, Crews has not cared for another dog.
The case was adjourned until 4th August for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
In cases where dogs display challenging behaviour, professional trainers may recommend tools such as an e-collar for dogs alongside positive reinforcement techniques.
Sadly it is always the animals that suffer, bad ownership is
usually the problem.
Owners of such animals should make sure the animal is
trained and if required should wear a muzzle.
Absolutely!
A neighbour has a similar dog, he asked ‘what was wrong’ when the dog jumped up at me, paws on shoulders!
It barks at everyone who passes by.
Absolutely no control.
Made no effort to train it.
Did not even apologise.
It going to end in tears.
People should not be allowed to own pets
unless they are vetted.
Pet owners should pay an expensive licence fee to own
an animal, that will stop uneducated numpties owning
animals.
There are too many of of control dogs. Owners stuff them with treats instead of training them properly
Same can be said about children, bad parents are always the
problem.
They let them run around without controlling them
shocking, would never have happened in my youth.
Parents just like dog owners need to take responsibility.
NO EXCUSES – Enough is Enough
The fact that we will do this to a relatively innocent, probably redeemable with the right training, creature and we let people who do far worse acts of genuine evil upon the likes of innocent children live, prosper and form networks in our nursuries, schools, media and government institutions (e.g. Mr Mandelson), only keeping them in ‘prison’ (really special hotels where they are protected and given free food, education and entertainment) for brief periods before releasing them to commit their acts over and over again tells me that we are moral cowards and, far from holding our ancestors in contempt, should all feel a collective shame that we have failed in the most funamental ways to fulfill even the most basic standards that they held, without flinching.
Well said.