A GRAYS man has been jailed after his dog severely injured a woman leaving her with permanent scars.

Peter Fricker of Rosedale Road, was jailed for 18 months, when he appeared at at Basildon Combined Court, for allowing his dog to be dangerously out of control and causing injury to a member of the public. He was also banned from keeping a dog for ten years.

 The victim was getting out of her car on Monday, 6 September 2021 when Fricker's unaccompanied bull breed dog charged at her and attacked her, causing eight deep wounds to her legs.

The woman's injuries amounted to GBH and required surgery.

Specialist dog officers attended Fricker's home address and seized the dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act. During the seizure process, they noted that the dog appeared to be of a dominant nature.

Following an investigation led by the Grays and Brentwood Local Police Team and overseen by Dog Legislation Officers, Fricker, 43, appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on April 25 last year to answer a charge of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and causing injury to a person where he denied the charge.

PC Jack Emerson of Grays local policing team, said: "We welcome the court's decision which reflects the danger posed by dangerous dogs and those who fail to keep adequate control of them. 

"I hope that this sentence sends the message to owners that whilst they are incredible pets, dogs can pose a risk if not properly trained and cared for, and owners must ensure that they have adequate knowledge, capability, and the right environment to care for them."

The court ordered the dog's destruction.