Cambourne dog owner told to muzzle his springer spaniel after child attacks

A DOG owner has been ordered to muzzle his pet after a series of attacks on children.

Donald Parker’s springer spaniel bit a nine-year-old boy on the finger as he walked past Parker’s home in Handley Drive, Cambourne, where the dog was kept.

There were also three instances of children being bitten while playing at the property. In one of the incidents, in August 2012, a five-year-old girl was bitten on the mouth and needed a plastic surgeon to help treat her injuries.

Magistrates in Cambridge have now ordered that the dog be muzzled when children visit Parker’s home.

The dog must also be kept under supervision of an adult at all times when in public from now on and Parker has been warned that if further complaints are made alleging a breach of these conditions, the dog could be destroyed.

Parker, 41, admitted that the dog had acted in a dangerous manner and was out of control in the incident of August 2012 and was ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £480.

The complaint against him at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court was made by South Cambridgeshire District Council in accordance with Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1971.

Councillor Sue Ellington, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “I am very pleased that the courts have ruled for the dog to be muzzled to prevent any further attacks taking place.

“These events can be incredibly distressing for a young person and their parents and our officers have helped get a good result for all parties.”