A dog owner whose XL bully bit a man and left him needing hospital treatment has pleaded guilty to charges in relation to the incident. Stephen Clay admitted to being the owner of the dog which was dangerously out of control and caused injury to a person when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court.
But an earlier trial at the magistrates court last month saw him acquitted of a second charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by beating the dog – called Diesel – on August 2, 2024. This week, the 44-year-old, of Beeston, appeared at the higher court over a video link from HMP Nottingham.
His barrister, Digby Johson, successfully applied for an adjournment so that his client could be assessed by the probation service ahead of sentencing.
Setting the sentencing date to March 18, Judge Steven Coupland said: “I am adjourning your case for a short time to allow these people to come and see you. This is being done for your benefit so I would ask that you co-operate with them when they come and see you.”
Clay replied: “I will fully cooperate.”
In a statement released at the time of the incident, Nottinghamshire Police said: “Officers were called to High Road, Beeston, shortly after 8.45am on Wednesday, October 9, following reports a man had been attacked by a dog. Following inquiries, police arrested a 44-year-old man on Thursday, October 10, at an address in Beeston on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.
“Officers also seized a dog, believed to be an XL bully type, from the address. It remains in secure kennels. The victim, a 26-year-old man, was taken to hospital after suffering injuries to his leg and hand. His injuries are not currently believed to be life-threatening.”
At his first appearance in October, Clay arrived at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court carrying a dog muzzle before asking the bench not to stop him being allowed to keep pets as part of his bail conditions because he “loved animals”.
Speaking on that day, Clay said: “Can I change the bail details, please? I love animals. I tried to save a pigeon the other day and it died on me.”
In October, prosecutor Flo Harper said Diesel is alleged to have lunged at the victim, biting him to his thigh and hand as he walked past the defendant. She said he underwent surgery.
Clay, of High Road, will be sentenced on March 18 and was remanded into custody until that date.