Grandmother’s arm ‘bitten to the bone’ when she tried to stroke neighbour’s dog
An elderly woman claims her arm was almost torn off by a neighbour's dog when it bit into her as she went to stroke it.
Mary Powell was left with seriously injured when neighbour Claire Akehurst's rottweiler dragged her to the ground and snapped her arm near her home in Kent.
The 80-year-old great grandmother was walking back from her local GP in Goudhurst when she saw the animal and tried to touch it.
The dog, named Marley, fractured Mrs Powell's forearm in a single bite down to the bone and pulled her down to the ground while tearing off a huge chunk of skin.
Mrs Powell said: "I've never been so frightened in my life.
"As a former casualty sister I've been attacked before, but I've never been in so much fear."
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Mrs Powell said she has been left feeling depressed following the June 7 attack, because she is struggling to complete everyday tasks and play with her great-grandson.
She added: “My great-grandson put his arms out to hold me and I couldn't, I can't play with him or teach him to play tennis.
"I find it difficult to change my clothes or have a shower. I find myself in a lot of pain and struggle when completing simple tasks.
"When this whole incident happened initially I thought I coped really well but it has got me really down, I'm really depressed.
"I used to play petanque regularly but now I can't. I keep a strong face for my children but I'm struggling."
Akehurst was hauled before Maidstone Magistrates Court, where she pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control.
Magistrates decided not to put down Marley because it was his first attack, but he must now wear a muzzle in public and be kept on a lead and a harness on walks.
The owner was told that if she fails to keep the dog under these conditions, and under the control of somebody aged 16 or over, he will be put down.
Akehurst, also of Goudhurst, was made to pay £1,000 in compensation at Maidstone Magistrates' Court last Friday.
She must also complete a 12-month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work.
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