Two police officers mauled by pit bull terrier bred for fighting

A POLICE officer was mauled by a pit bull terrier unleashed by a father upset police had come to take his son back to prison, a court heard.

PC Gemma Pinkard received lacerations and deep puncture wounds to her thigh and both calf muscles after Kevin Sheppard deliberately opened the door to his lounge.

PC Pinkard feared the dog would go for her throat and thought Sheppard was coming to her aid but instead he just leant over and spoke to her while doing nothing, prosecutors say.

Only minutes earlier Sheppard, 48, had seen the dog – called Koda – attack another officer, causing seven deep puncture wounds to his calf.

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At Bristol Crown Court Sheppard, of Derwent Road, Speedwell, denies causing PC Pinkard grievous bodily harm with intent at around 8pm on November 24 last year.

Koda has since been destroyed after Sheppard's son Wayne admitted possession of a dangerous dog.

Ramin Pakrooh, prosecuting, said they could not prove the injury to PC David Hawkins was intentional.

But he said that having seen the attack on PC Hawkins, Sheppard must have known the consequences of allowing the dog out again.

"Police were sent to arrest the defendant's son who had been recalled to prison," Mr Pakrooh said.

"PC Hawkins suddenly fell to the floor and was screaming in pain ... a dog was clamped onto his calf."

He said the dog had the characteristics of a pit bull terrier and was categorised as a section one dog – a dog bred for fighting.

"There were efforts made to get the dog off and another PC, Raymond Wall, hit the dog with his ASP baton but it had no effect. It is fair to say the defendant also used the baton in an effort to get the dog off."

Eventually the dog let go and back-up units and an ambulance were called.

Dog handler Gemma Pinkard entered the property but was told the dog was not there, the court heard.

"She felt the situation between the defendant and her was deteriorating," Mr Pakrooh said. "Then the defendant reached past her, swung open the door and stood back. She just had time to see the dog before it was on her. The dog attacked her leg, causing it to buckle and she was effectively dragged into the living room.

"She fell into a seat and the dog sunk its teeth into her thigh. She screamed but could not get her fingers into the dog's mouth to prise it open."

"The defendant approached her and she thought he was going to help but instead he leaned across to her and said 'There, I told you'.

"Other officers came into the house and could see the defendant sat in a chair doing nothing.

"The dog released its grip but attacked again on her calf. She was worried it was going to work its way up to a vital area like the throat."

Sheppard told police PC Pinkard had brought the attack on herself by barging into the room where the dog was.

The trial continues.