A German lingerie boss whose hunting dog mauled to death 20 lambs in a savage attack has been fined – just days after police warned her about the hound.
Product development boss Ann-Kathrin Meyer’s hunting dog ‘violently’ killed the sheep just four days after she got a formal warning from police demanding she keep the hound under control.
The 36-year-old was taking her German Pointer for a walk when he broke away with his long lead and ran off towards the flock as they were grazing in a farmer’s field.
Attacking the poor flock one by one, the dog – named Alfie – grabbed each lamb by the neck, violently shook it before spitting it out and moving to the next on April 15.
Mayer admitted that she should have kept him ‘under control’ but told the court she wanted to play fetch with him on a long lead.
Product development boss Ann-Kathrin Meyer’s hunting dog ‘violently’ killed 20 sheep
Meyer works remotely for a German lingerie company from her home in Macclesfield but will relocate to Germany after the ordeal
The attack at Upton Priory, near Macclesfield, Cheshire, was only brought to a stop when the farmer jumped into his car and chased after Alfie until the lead became trapped under the wheels.
Police called to the scene discovered Mayer had earlier been cautioned when the same animal terrorised livestock by running riot around another field.
This incident occurred in nearby Shutlingsloe at Wildboarclough. The cost to the farmer of losing his lambs was estimated at £3,000.
At Crewe magistrates’ court, Meyer – who works remotely for a German lingerie company from her home in Macclesfield – was ordered to pay £4,500 in fines, costs and compensation after she admitted having a dog dangerously out of control.
Alfie was allowed to live despite prosecutors calling for him to be destroyed. After the incident, Meyer is due to move back to Germany.
Gayle McCoubrey, prosecuting, said: ‘The victim in this matter, Mr Sidebottom, had gone to check on his sheep at 5pm on April 15.
‘But as he approached the sheep, he could see a dog he described as a setter chasing the sheep over the hill.
‘He states that the dog which was running around on a long lead was picking the sheep up with its teeth and violently shaking them, then spitting them out and moving onto the next one.’
‘He had to jump in his car and chase the dog and get the lead under the wheels. This was successful and after the dog stopped attacking the sheep, it became compliant and he was able to place the dog in his vehicle and contact the police.
‘Twenty lambs were killed amounting to a loss of £3,000. The defendant is the registered owner of the dog.
‘Inquiries revealed on April 11, the defendant was given a conditional caution at Macclesfield Police Station for a livestock incident occurring on February 25. One of the conditions was to keep the dog under control and on a suitable restraint at all times in public, irrespective of the activity.
‘There were in fact three livestock worrying incidents this year. This victim has been the victim of livestock attacks on several occasions, but this is the first from the defendant’s dog.
‘The defendant comes as a woman of good character. But there was a lack of compliance with the conditional caution. Given the repeated incidents I believe I should ask for the destruction of the dog.’
Representing herself, Meyer said: ‘I was there, looking for him after I saw him running away from me.
At Crewe magistrates’ court (above), Meyer – who works remotely for a German lingerie company from her home in Macclesfield – was ordered to pay £4,500 in fines
‘It was my responsibility to keep him under control and on a short lead. I had a short and a long lead on him. But when I played ball with him I took the short lead off him whist the long lead was still attached. It is not how it should be and I totally understand that.’
Meyer added: ‘I do not walk him on my own anymore and he is already wearing a muzzle. I have a character reference from our dog trainer who was helping us and Alfie has had four days of intensive training.
‘Where we lived before, in Germany, there were no sheep. He never harmed any animals or any person. I am really sorry for what happened and I was so happy that the farmer was calm. I want to pay him for his loss.’
Meyer was fined £1,077 ordered to pay £426 in costs and victim surcharge and pay £3,000 in compensation.
She was also made subject of a contingent destruction order which means Alfie’s life was spared on the condition Meyer keeps him on a lead and muzzle at all times when in a public place and that it is only walked by someone over the age of 16.
JP Andrew Pope told Meyer: ‘As a result of your negligence you caused loss to a farmer of 20 lambs.
‘To put your mind at rest in terms of the dog we are not ordering the destruction of the dog. It can effectively remain alive provided these things happen but if you are found to have breached any of these things, the dog will be taken from you, by force is necessary, and put down.
‘We also bear in mind you are going back to Germany. You also have to know that the German authorities have access to UK records. If you were to commit an offence in another country, this may well be visible to them.’
