‘Momentary lapse of control’ by owner led to German Shepherd dog biting a Powys woman twice
‘Momentary lapse of control’ by owner led to German Shepherd dog biting a Powys woman twice
A German Shepherd dog bit a woman twice after a ‘momentary lapse of control’ by its Powys owner.
But Simba the dog was deemed not to be a vicious and animal by a judge and will not be put down.
Pensioner David Sharman admitted being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control in a public place on September 16 2025, when it bit Ms Judith Lacey, when he appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday.
The 72 year-old of Mill Brock House, Llangenny said German Shepherd Simba goes to training and to shows.
Prosecuting Ms Sarah John said Ms Lacey was out on a walk from Abergavenny to Llangenny near Crickhowell when she saw Mr Sharman and said hello.
The dog had a collar and a lead on but the handle of the lead was over a post.
It saw Ms Lacey and started barking and growling at her when she was 3ft away from it in a narrow lane.
She did not think she could safely pass the dog and so she stepped back.
Ms John said the lead came off the post and Simba grabbed Ms Lacey’s right leg and bit her.
Ms Lacey fell backwards and then Simba grabbed her wrist and bit her arm.
Mr Sharman then got hold of the dog and as Ms Lacey sat up she said ‘your dog has just bitten me’ and the wounds were bleeding.
She asked him what he was going to do and he said what could he do and so she asked for his name and he said Smith and he left the scene.
Ms Lacey was helped by neighbours.
She suffered two puncture wounds to her right arm and her leg and the wounds were dressed and she was given antibiotics and a tetanus jab at hospital.
Mitigating, Mr Richard Ace said Sherman is now 72 and it was a momentary lapse in concentration but the injuries were unpleasant.
He said Sherman was an engineer for 25 years but now lives off a state pension after receiving some bad private pension advice.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “This was a very unfortunate incident which caused serious and painful injuries to Ms Lacey, a lady of some age.
“Simba took against her for whatever reason, broke his lead and bit Ms Lacey.
“It was a momentary lapse of control but I don’t believe Simba is a vicious or a nasty animal but going forward I have to ensure that the public are not put in danger by Simba.”
He fined Sherman £500 and said he would spend 14 days in prison if he defaulted on paying the fine. He will also have to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge.
Judge Jenkins said as a further deterrent, he did not order the destruction of Simba but when he is in a public place or on walks he will have to be on a lead and muzzled, apart from when he is training or at shows.