A MAN has been banned from keeping dogs for ten years after his pet Bullmastiff-cross bit two of his neighbours.

Sean Murphy of Rudhall View, Lea told Herefordshire Magistrates Court at his sentencing today that he was going to appeal his conviction and fight to save his dog, which was also ordered to be destroyed.

The 31-year-old failed to turn up for his trial on January 17 and was found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with a control of dog order, owning a dangerous dog and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

But he told the court that he did not appear for his trial due to a sickness bug and said he thought it was unfair that he was found guilty, without being able to give his defence.

Amy Davies, prosecuting, told the court that Murphy's dog, Archie, was already made subject to a dog control order in 2014 after he bit a police officer.

Then on December 18, 2015 Archie was outside Murphy's property scavenging in bins in the village, near Ross-on-Wye.

His neighbours, Michael Harwood and Caroline Evans, became concerned about the aggressive nature of the dog as they knew primary school children would soon be finishing school, so they tried to get him inside Murphy's garden, which had a fence around it.

In doing so, Archie bit Mr Harwood on the arm and Ms Evans on the ankle.

Miss Davies said a vet had said Archie had chronically infected skin lesions, which in his opinion had caused unnecessary suffering to the dog.

The court heard there was no prospect of Archie being rehomed due to his aggressive nature, and the crown asked for a destruction order.

Murphy told the court that he had proof that Ms Evans and Mr Harwood deliberately went out of their way to wind Archie up.

He said he could also produce vet's bills to prove he has antibiotic cream for Archie for his skin condition and added that Archie's weight would often fluctuate.

He said: "I would like the dog back and I am going to fight to get him back."

Murphy was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 175 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay compensation to the victims: £250 to Mr Harwood and £100 to Ms Evans. He was ordered to pay a contribution of £500 to the dog's care since the incident, which had amounted to £6,235.75, and an £85 victim surcharge.

Magistrates ordered the destruction of the dog and disqualified Murphy from keeping dogs for ten years.