Bail granted for man who attempted to gouge police dog's eyes
A Shrewsbury man who admitted attempting to gouge a police dog's eyes will appear at court next month.
Scott Storey, 38, appeared by video link at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Monday where he admitted the attack on police dog Riley during an attempt to arrest him earlier this month.
Magistrates were told that police had been called to an address in Shrewsbury on June 18, where Storey had assaulted his partner – punching her several times.
When they arrived, Storey had fled the scene but he was found nearby by PC Worrall, who had attended with police dog Riley.
The court was told that after being confronted Storey was told to stop or the dog would be released.
He failed to do so and PC Worrall let the dog go.
Storey then repeatedly punched and kicked the animal, which was said to have backed off.
Magistrates were told that the police officer also became involved and then when on the floor Storey tried to gouge the dog's eyes.
The court heard that Storey, of Priory Ridge, Shrewsbury, had admitted three charges when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court, on June 23.
The first was causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, the second was assault by beating, and the third was assault by beating of an emergency worker – all on June 18.
Chloe Byrne, representing Storey, who was appearing via a video link from HMP Hewell, said he had been struggling with mental health issues following a personal tragedy last year, and had been drinking on the day of the incident.
Magistrates adjourned the case until July 18, at Telford Magistrates Court, with a pre-sentence report to be carried out before the hearing.
Storey was granted conditional bail pending the hearing.