A Freshwater woman whose dog attacked 3 women – leaving one of them needing 22 stitches for an injury to her elbow – has been fined and ordered to pay compensation.
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 back in June.
She appeared before magistrates again earlier this week (Tuesday) for sentencing.
At an earlier hearing, 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.
The court also heard 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.
After deliberations, magistrates handed Crews an 18-month community order with 12 sessions of a mental health treatment requirement attached. She was also fined £300 and ordered to pay compensation of £550.
Crews was also banned from owning – or looking after a dog – for 5 years.
