Telford cleaner mauled by 14-stone Rottweiler guard dog

The huge dog "reared up" before biting Sarah Coyne nine times on the arm and hand on the Tweedale Industrial Estate where she worked.

The animal, called Harley, was used as a guard dog for Bob's Motor Works on the Telford estate and was being walked on a lead by mechanic Robert Milius because the owner of the garage was ill in hospital.

Milius, 45, had denied being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury but was found guilty after a trial at Telford Magistrates Court.

Stephen Blower, prosecuting, said Milius had agreed to walk Harley and another Rottweiler of a similar size called Rosie, both based at the garage, for his employer every morning while he was ill.

He told the court Milius, of Chapel House Apartments, St Georges, Telford, was out with both dogs at around 8am on September 11 last year when they came across Mrs Coyne, who was on her way into work at Supreme Concrete on the trading estate.

Mr Blower said: "In Mr Milius' own words, the dog 'reared up'. It grabbed hold of Mrs Coyne by the arm in the elbow area before transferring its attentions to her hand and lower arm. She suffered a total of nine puncture wounds."

Milius eventually managed to get the dog away and put them both back in cages inside the garage before calling 999, the prosecutor told the court.

The dog was put down a month after the attack, the court was told.

Mrs Coyne showed the scars that were still visible from the attack. She said it was "very painful" and had resulted in long-term effects.

"I had to give up my morning job because I couldn't face going back onto that estate, it was bringing it all back," she said. "They are desperate for a cleaner up there but I just can't bring myself to do it.

"I was off work altogether for four weeks and I couldn't play with my children. It's also made me completely lose faith in other dogs. I won't go out and walk my dogs now because I am scared of what other dogs will do."

Milius, giving evidence in court, said it was an accident and there was nothing he could have done to prevent it.

Magistrates sentenced Milius, who no longer works at the garage and is currently on benefits, to a 12-month community order to include 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £750 compensation to Mrs Coyne.