A terrifying attack at a South West stable where an 11-year-old girl and a woman were viciously mauled by a pack of red Labradors. The attacks took place at Coombeland Farm, near Tiverton, a court heard.
Businessman John Hardy, who owned the Labs and is known as a “successful man of considerable reputation”, was accused of being “blase” when the young girl’s mother informed him of the attack. Meanwhile, the other victim reported he offered a mere £80 to cover the cost of her ruined trousers.
Three of Hardy’s dogs have since been put down. The 75-year-old has been convicted of two offences of being the owner of eight red Labradors that were dangerously out of control and injured two females. He was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay each victim £5,000 in compensation, reports Devon Live.
The initial attack occurred on January 3, 2024. The older victim, the woman, had come to deliver hay and was undoing the straps from the trailer in the main yard when the pack attacked her.
She was bit on her legs, bottom and arms. It was reported that some of the dogs were hanging off her and others were barking.
Prosecutor Lewis Aldous described the savagery of the assault and said: “They were ripping at her rather than biting and letting go.” Her partner was able to pull her away but he later said he thought she was going to be killed in the attack. Hardy also tried to help.
A farmhand rushed a woman to the safety of a barn after she was attacked by dogs, where she recalls seeing “blood everywhere” and her trousers around her ankles. Hardy, apologised to the victim and offered £80 for new trousers. He later called to offer further compensation, which she refused.
The woman sustained 11 wounds, underwent two surgeries, and spent five days in hospital. She still has scars and experiences numbness in her leg. In a statement to the court, she revealed that she still endures flashbacks and nightmares of dog attacks and has developed a deep fear of dogs.
The second incident happened just over a month later. A woman and her two daughters visited the farm to see a horse Hardy was selling.
While speaking with Hardy, the pack of dogs charged through an archway and attacked one of the girls, knocking her down “like a pack of wild animals”. Despite efforts by her mother, sister, and a farmhand to save her, the girl was bitten multiple times.
During the attack, the terrified girl asked: “Mummy, am I going to die?”. The mother described Hardy’s reaction as “very calm” and “somewhat blase”, and she did not hear from him after the incident.
The young girl suffered 36 bite marks, extensive bruising, and required a tetanus injection. Seven of the scars are permanent, and she has been diagnosed with PTSD, and said she is now “really scared of all dogs”.
Her mum read a statement in court in which she described the devastating impact of the attack on her previously happy and smiling little girl. The child had also been terrified of attending court.
Hardy initially pleaded not guilty and the case listed for trial. But he later admitted the charges and sentenced at Exeter Crown Court.
Three of his dogs, Percy, Billy and Oscar have since been put to sleep. The remaining five dogs returned to him with strict control orders in place.
Hardy is currently in the process of selling his equine business and the large estate. He said he was “shocked and appalled” by what happened and deeply sorry.
Judge David Evans said the first attack was prolonged and savage. He said Hardy should have acted after the first incident but seemed “peculiarly unperturbed” by the attack on the girl.
Hardy must do 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a 15-month suspended sentence. The judge also made a contingent destruction order on the remaining dogs should he not keep them under proper control in future.