The uncle of a four-year-old boy who was mauled to death by a pit-bull in Liverpool has admitted breeding and owning a dangerous dog.
Christian Foulkes, 21, of Ash Grove, Wavertree, pleaded guilty to three counts under the Dangerous Dogs Act at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.
John Paul Massey suffered fatal injuries when he was savaged by the family pet in Wavertree last November.
The judge warned Foulkes faced jail for his "extremely serious" convictions.
Foulkes was released on unconditional bail and will be sentenced on 1 June.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a dangerous dog and one count of breeding a dangerous dog.
A further count of giving a dangerous dog as a gift was withdrawn by the prosecution.
John Paul was savaged by the pet, called Uno, while he was being looked after by his grandmother at her home in Ash Grove, Wavertree, in the early hours of 30 November.
Joanne Parsons, prosecuting, said the boy had woken up at around midnight and said he was hungry so his grandmother, Helen Foulkes, went to get him a packet of crisps.
Ms Parsons said: "By the time she returned John Paul was already back asleep so she opened the crisps to give them to the dog.
"As she did, Uno pounced at John Paul. She tried to force the dog off her grandson and was attacked herself as a result."
Ms Parsons described Uno as a powerful dog and said police had to distract the animal before paramedics were able to enter the house and treat them.
Despite their efforts to save him, John Paul died shortly after the attack. The dog was killed by police marksmen, who shot it twice in the garden.
[...]
Ms Parsons said Foulkes was "utterly devastated" by the death of his nephew.
He was supported in court by John Paul's mother, Angela McGlynn.
Mark Ellis, defending, said Foulkes wanted to thank the police and the CPS for their "sensitive" handling of the case.
The 21-year-old had recently joined the Army and was away training when the dog attacked his nephew.
Foulkes also admitted owning a pit-bull bitch, named Lita, which was being looked after by the little boy's father.
The dog was pregnant with 11 pups, sired by Uno, when she died after being knocked down by a car shortly after John Paul was killed.
Ms Parsons told the court it was not Lita's first litter of puppies but added: "Mr Foulkes maintains the dogs were kept as family pets and not bred for fighting or commercial gain.
"There is no evidence on either dog of their use for fighting."
A third dog, named Lucky, had also been kept by Foulkes but was killed by the other two, the prosecutor said.
not that lucky, then.
Following John Paul's death, it emerged that Merseyside Police did not take action after receiving an earlier report of dog breeding taking place at Mrs Foulkes' home.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is currently investigating the force.
Christian Foulkes was originally arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but was not charged with the offence.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks