A judge today praised the pilot for his bravery, as the dog savaged its owner, her husband and another man leaving two of them with life-threatening and life-altering injuries
An air ambulance pilot has been hailed a hero after he borrowed a farmer’s shotgun to put down an XL Bully that was attacking several people. The judge commended the pilot for his bravery, stating it saved a person’s life.
The incident happened when a landlord arrived at a remote property in Gwynedd to collect rent from his tenants. Upon hearing the landlord’s car horn, the tenants’ dog became aggressive and attacked the landlord, the dog owner, and her husband.
Lisa Grant, 56, pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control causing serious injury to her landlord, Gwilym Wyn Roberts, in Rhoshirwaun near Pwllheli on November 17, 2023.
A judge at Caernarfon Crown Court, upon hearing that Grant herself was bitten and suffered life-altering injuries, handed her an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
Prosecutor Will Griffin reported that North Wales Police were informed at 11:29am that day that “multiple individuals” had been bitten by a dog running loose at Top Rhos Farm in Rhoshirwaun, reports North Wales Live.
The landlord, Mr Roberts, accompanied by his son Thomas, had been collecting rent from tenants Lisa and Roger Grant at a property 200 metres down a single track, off a country road.
During their visit the dog attacked Mr Roberts and Mr Grant, and when Mrs Grant intervened, she too was bitten. Mr Roberts’ son promptly dialled 999.
The court also heard how a Wales Air Ambulance landed at the scene. The helicopter pilot, Captain Jon Earp, in consultation with a police inspector, borrowed a shotgun and shot the animal four times, as the first shot apparently had no effect.
In a statement, Mr Roberts said months later his scars hadn’t healed. He said it was a “horrible” experience and he now avoided aggressive dogs.
Mrs Grant suffered an “awful” injury to her hand which required reconstruction, the court heard. Amy Edwards, defending Mrs Grant, now of Llys Perlysiau, Criccieth, said the dog tore Mr Roberts’ trousers and “did nothing more than cut his skin”.
Ms Edwards said Mrs Grant sustained a significant injury as she tried to regain control of the dog which had never shown signs of aggression before. She was “screaming” as she “attempted to intervene” as the dog attacked her husband.
Mrs Grant is now awaiting her fourth surgery on her arm. Ms Edwards said Mrs Grant could not return to the scene “mentally”.
She has since been rehoused by Adra housing association and her remaining dogs have been rehomed by the RSPCA.
The judge, Her Honour Nicola Jones, noted it was “extremely terrifying” for Mr Roberts, that Mr Grant had life-threatening and life-changing injuries and that Mrs Grant had PTSD and needed grafts on her arm.
Captain Earp, the pilot, was officially commended for his actions: “He and the crew and all the emergency services were all put at risk because this dog was dangerously out of control.
“His response involved borrowing a shotgun from a neighbouring farmer and shooting the dog. It took four shots to kill the dog on the spot – the first shot had no impact whatsoever.”
He acted due to the “ferocity, strength and danger of the animal…(and) saved the life of the partner (Mr Grant) and ensured he got the treatment he needed”.
The judge noted that the dog, named Ricoh, had been “relentless”, and Cpt Earp made the “difficult” decision to euthanise him as armed police were too distant at the time.
The judge suspended Mrs Grant’s prison sentence and ordered her to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity. She was also indefinitely banned from keeping animals.
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
