A man has been jailed for three years for owning a dangerously out-of-control XL bully dog that killed his neighbour.
Christopher Bell, 45, ran out of his house barefoot after Ian Langley, 54, who had thrown a stone and smashed a window at his home in Shiney Row near Sunderland on 3 October 2023.
Bell left the door open and his two XL bully dogs got out, joining the chase and overtaking their owner, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Jolyon Perks said Mr Langley had run for about 100m before he was brought to the floor by the larger of the two dogs, Titan, who latched on to his neck.
Bell was eventually able to pull the dog off and drag him back to his house, before he returned to the scene and called emergency services.
Mr Langley was taken to hospital but had suffered “catastrophic injuries to his neck” and was pronounced dead.
Titan was destroyed at the scene, while Bell’s other dog, Sapphire, was taken away and euthanised, the court heard.
Bell arriving at Newcastle Crown Court. Pic: PA
Titan had attacked two dogs in the months leading up to the incident and was “known to local residents,” the court heard.
Mr Perks said on 26 July 2022 the dog ran into the street and attacked a Yorkshire terrier, while Bell “asked bystanders for a cigarette lighter to burn his dog’s nose” to get him to release the terrier.
In June 2023, both Bell’s dogs were off leads when they attacked another dog in a “savage” incident lasting five to 10 minutes. It was only halted when Bell appeared and threw water over them.
Mr Perks said Bell had failed to act on prior knowledge of his dog’s behaviour.
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In a victim impact statement Mr Langley’s son, Jayke Langley, said his father “was not only loved by everyone in the community, he was also my role model and best influence in my life.”
He added: “His kindness and generosity shaped me into who I am. He taught me to make time for others and give to those less fortunate.”
He said changes to the law following an “alarming increase in fatal dog attacks” in 2023 “sadly came too late for my dad”.
The court heard Bell was “profoundly sorry for what has happened”.
A judge heard Bell “had no quarrel” with Mr Langley and what prompted him to smash the window remains unknown.
Judge Carolyn Scott jailed Bell for three years and banned him from owning a dog indefinitely.
