A woman whose dog mauled her arm after she hit him – with the animal later shot dead by Police – has been given a suspended prison sentence and banned from owning another dog for 5 years.
44-year-old Charlotte Harriet Louise Mathers, now of Jellicoe Road in Ryde, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court last week where she received a 4-month prison sentence, suspended for 2 years, after pleading guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
It was on 19th July 2020 – a year ago today – that Island Echo reported that a dog had been fatally wounded by Police following an incident on Golf Links Road, Sandown. Gunshots had been heard across the area as Police opened fire 5 times on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier/Rhodesian Ridgeback X.
It’s now known that Mathers was pulled to the ground by the dangerous animal, sustaining serious arm injuries in the process, after it suddenly turned on her. Crown prosecutors told the court that Mathers had hit her dog, named Rusty, for misbehaving. It was at this point that the ‘powerful’ animal hit her and the frenzied attack began.
The dog also injured Lachen Downs – Mather’s cousin – as he tried to assist with the situation. He suffered flesh wounds to his face, arms and legs as he rugby tackled the animal, but his sections prevented more serious injuries being sustained to the defendant.
Armed officers arrived at the scene at around 22:30 to find a white Audi convertible covered in blood between the golf club and the rear access to Fairway Holiday Park. The blood-covered Audi A4, owned by James and Julie Spratley, came across the incident as it unfolded and stopped to assist. The couple managed to get Mathers and Mr Downs inside the car but with the animal still circling outside.
It’s at this point that Police, who had already tried to mow the beast down, were left with no other option but to shoot the animal dead. It was stopped in its tracks just by the driver’s door.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance was scrambled to St Mary’s helipad to airlift Mathers to a mainland hospital for treatment. She later received 3 operations to save her arm.
Defending, Kelly Brocklehurst said her client sought comfort and companionship from animals due to domestic violence and a history of mental health issues. She added that there was no indication Rusty would attack and that the animal was not known to be aggressive.
It was accepted by the court that Charlotte had been drinking on the day in question, which is said to have likely ‘damaged’ her decision making. Mathers was living in caravans at the end of a bridleway near to the scene of the attack in July last year.
Charlotte Mathers must now complete 20 rehabilitation days as part of her sentence of 4-months in prison, suspended for 2 years. She has been disqualified from owning a dog for a period of 5 years, as well as being ordered to pay a £128 court surcharge.
So she hasn’t moved to Knighton down where some dirty caravan has been taking a space in the car park for over a YEAR now, along with a tatty van and some junk.
These sort need removing from public places as always a little odd to say the least and often have animals which are on the edge of losing the plot too living in a weird enviornment with strange owners.
Another accident waiting to occur, lets hope its not a child this time
So it was all the poor dogs fault then. If there was time for armed police to arrive then there should have been time to get a vet with a tranquiliser gun there. But just kill the dog as usual. They should have despatched the owner at the same time.
There was a reason that dog was walked after 10 at night , it was the most intimidating dog I’ve ever come across while walking with my 2 young boys down that bridle way, it was locked in old cars and would scare the life out of me and my lovely staffy as we passed ,so glad it wasn’t an innocent person that got that dog put down !
Bad behaviour could mean the dog was not trained properly or was perhaps abused.. Ofc it could have just freaked out and bitten the lady but I guess we can only speculate…
Poor dog. What a horrible life it must have had. Locked in cars is not right. There must have been violence and drink involved. Animals sense unrest and when things arent right. Probably thought I’ve had enough of being hit and badly treated. Should have been a life time ban on keeping any animal.
Bad owners make bad dogs.
Poor dog. I wonder how it would have been had it had a completely different owner?