Derry woman jailed after 'pit bull type dog' savaged another dog to death

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a 'pit bull type dog' savaged another dog to death while the owners behaved aggressively towards people who tried to intervene.

Seren Lloyd (23) of Strand Road in Derry admitted three assaults and a disorderly behaviour on August 4 2023.

The court heard that police were called after a dog had attacked a smaller dog in the Clon Elagh area and killed it.

The defendant was along with a male and she behaved aggressively towards the woman walking the dog.

A taxi driver who tried to intervene was punched by the male and Lloyd pushed him.

The taxi driver was taken to hospital with cuts on his head.

The girl whose dog was attacked phoned her father 'hysterically crying' and the man attended.

When he arrived the pit bull type dog still had the smaller dog by the neck and so the father tried to separate the animals the male defendant attacked him and the man defended himself. Lloyd then swung a chain like dog lead at the man's head and was verbally aggressive.

The pit bull type dog was later put down.

A defence barrister said the male defendant was the main protagonist in the case.

He said his client had drink taken on the day and had reacted when she saw someone punching at her dog.

The barrister said that his client was remorseful.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that the pre-sentence report 'was not a good report'.

He described the incident as 'absolutely and utterly disgraceful' and said instead of trying to stop their dog attacking a smaller dog the defendants were aggressive towards members of the public.

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He said that the offending occurred a matter of weeks after Lloyd received a suspended sentence which the judge said would have been her final warning.

He jailed Lloyd for a period of 7 months and imposed a Restraining Order for a period of 4 years.