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Man on trial over pensioner's fatal XL bully attack
16 Feb
Summary
- Pensioner with mobility issues was left with 10 XL bully dogs.
- The dogs had a combined weight of up to 190kg.
- The dogs had not been walked for four weeks before the attack.
A pensioner with limited mobility was allegedly left to mind 10 XL bully dogs, with a combined weight of up to 190kg, before she was killed. Ashley Warren, 41, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, accused of owning or being in charge of two XL bully dogs that killed Esther Martin, 68, on February 3, 2024.
Mr. Warren had asked Ms. Martin, who suffered from hip replacement issues, arthritis, and a limp, to look after the two adult dogs, Beauty and Bear, and their eight puppies. The prosecutor described the suggestion that she could control the "unpredictable, towering, muscular" animals as "ludicrous." The adult dogs weighed 39kg and 47kg, with puppies weighing 10-12kg each.
Jurors heard that Ms. Martin sustained at least 60 dog-related injuries. The dogs had not been walked for four weeks prior to the attack. The mauling happened just two days after the government made it a criminal offense to own an XL bully in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.
Warren, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges of owning a dangerously out-of-control dog that caused death and being in charge of a dog that did the same. He also denies a separate charge of possessing a bladed article.
