Man banned from keeping dogs after XL bully attack

A man has been banned from keeping dogs for life after his XL bully attacked a person and another dog.

Phillip Ilott, 32, from Cheltenham, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.

His dog, which was not a banned breed at the time of the attack on 7 May 2023, latched on the neck of the victim's dog in a communal garden while off the lead.

As the man tried to stop the attack, Ilott's dog bit him on the hand causing deep puncture wounds which required hospital treatment.

The victim's dog sustained injuries to its neck and body and was taken to the vets to be treated.

Ilott initially denied his dog had caused any injury to the victim or the dog, however he then pleaded guilty in court.

As well as being banned from keeping dogs for life on 2 January, Illot was handed a prison sentence of six months, suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay the court and victim's costs amounting to a total of £287.

The court also ordered that the dog be humanely destroyed.

PC Rebekah Tristram, from Gloucestershire Police, said the attack "must have been incredibly distressing for the animal and for his owner to witness".

"I welcome Ilott's sentence and hope it will serve as a warning to all dog owners that, regardless of the breed of dog, all pets need to be kept under control in public places," she added.

"Failure to do so can lead to some horrific outcomes."

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