Corkman's unmuzzled rottweilers knocked woman over and picked up her dog, court told

The owner said his rottweilers "are not aggressive dogs. When he (Sgt. Davis) said he picked up the dog, what he does is he ‘mouths’ the dog — he is a complete goofball, very playful, the type of dog that nuzzles up to you."

The owner of two rottweilers lost control of them when they were unmuzzled on a walk and they ran towards a cockapoo knocking down the woman walking this dog before one of the rottweilers picked up her dog in his mouth.

Now at Cork District Court the owner of the rottweilers has unreservedly apologised to the lady. She was not injured and the skin was not broken on her cockapoo.

Judge Mary Dorgan said that the owner of the rottweilers, 44-year-old Glen Pitter of Ardcarrig, Carrigaline, County Cork, had met the matter in a very forthright manner. He declined legal representation, pleaded guilty to the four counts against him under Control of Dogs legislation, and unreservedly apologised to the lady.

Before dealing with the question of penalty, the judge wants the vet attended by the rottweilers to give Mr Pitter a letter stating his opinion on how docile the two dogs are.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said: “On June 5 at 7.40pm, a woman was walking her dog which is a cockapoo. “She was walking on the Eastern Relief Road in Carrigaline at the same time as Mr Pitter. He was walking with three dogs, each on a lead. Two of the dogs were rottweilers — a restricted breed.

“The two rottweilers got free from Mr Pitter and ran towards the woman with her dog. She was knocked over by one of the rottweilers and the other rottweiler pick up her cockapoo by the back.

“She was trying to put her dog up on her shoulders but he is 12 kilograms and she was unable to do so. Mr Pitter eventually got control of his two dogs and left the area. The woman was not injured.” 

The woman later called to Carrigaline Garda station and reported the matter. Mr Pitter was fully co-operative with Garda Brian Shanahan when asked about the matter.

Now at Cork District Court he has pleaded guilty to failing to have control over Tyson, a rottweiler, as required under Regulation 5 of the Control of Dogs regulations and Control of Dogs Act. And a similar charge in respect of Bell, another rottweiler. 

In respect of both dogs he also admitted breaching regulations by not having them securely muzzled in a public place. Mr Pitter declined the option to instruct a solicitor and said: “It was completely my fault, I will take it on the chin.” 

Explaining what happened, Mr Pitter said: “I took them out. I knew they needed to cool down because it was hot and they had not been out in a few days. And I took the muzzles off. I went to an area where I thought people would not be. I thought there would be no one around.

“I got up a grass verge and I slipped and lost control of my two dogs. 

They were just wanting to play. They are not aggressive dogs. When he (Sgt Davis) said he picked up the dog, what he does is he ‘mouths’ the dog — he is a complete goofball, very playful, the type of dog that nuzzles up to you. 

"It is just one of those things. I unreservedly apologise to the lady.” Judge Mary Dorgan said to Mr Pitter: “Obviously you are pleading and being forthright. I have to balance that with concern for the lady.” 

After establishing that there is a vet who is familiar with Mr Pitter’s dogs, Judge Dorgan required the owner to get a letter from his vet on the dogs. “I want the vet to tell me how docile these dogs are. And I am going to ask the guards to get a victim impact statement (from the owner of the cockapoo). And I want you to give an undertaking not to take the dogs out without a muzzle.” 

Mr Pitter replied: “Absolutely, very much so.” The case was adjourned until January 18 at Cork District Court.