A DOG who attacked a man in Herefordshire, leaving him with a tendon sticking through a hole in his sleeve, does not have to be put down, magistrates have ruled.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard how Russell Cassidy-Kojima’s German Shepherd had “locked on” to the victim’s arm during the attack in Ross-on-Wye.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said the victim was walking home when he passed Cassidy-Kojima, his partner and his dog Mowana.

While walking along the narrow path, he noticed movement in the corner of his eye as the dog bit his arm.

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Mr Hambling said the victim shouted in pain as the dog “locked on”, claiming Cassidy-Kojima, of Raglan Road in Tintern, Monmouthshire, didn’t help by trying to get the dog off.

After the victim managed to free his arm, blood was “spurting” from it and a tendon was hanging through a hole in his sleeve.

He admitted crying like a baby afterwards and had suffered psychological issues since, with magistrates awarding £2,500 compensation.

Steve Langton, defending, said 41-year-old Cassidy-Kojima was devastated after the attack on November 29, 2021.

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Mr Langton said the dog had no history of aggression and was used to people and other dogs.

He also said Cassidy-Kojima, who has ambitions to be a first responder and paramedic, had helped the victim, using his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and calling 999.

He had also been cooperative with police.

After discussing the case for more than an hour, magistrates fined Cassidy-Kojima, who pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog causing injury, £2,000.

He was also told to pay £2,500 compensation to the victim, a £190 victim surcharge and £185 costs.

But magistrates decided not to destroy the dog, instead ruling that she must be spayed, wear a muzzle in public, have public liability insurance, complete eight training session and be kept behind a secure barrier when visitors are in the home.