A homeless man has admitted being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog.
It follows an incident in the city centre on 17th March in which a woman was left “petrified” by Arran Bennett’s grey Staffy cross, Stitch, after he slipped his harness and jumped up at her.
On Wednesday, 28th May, Bath magistrates were shown phone footage of the incident, which happened outside Topping’s book shop in York Street.
There had also been a report of Bennett having to pin Stitch down to prevent him from attacking another dog.
There were no injuries.
Duty solicitor Ned Kemp told the court that Bennett, who is 33, had only had Stitch for a short time.
He had bought a harness for him, but the dog was “extraordinarily boisterous”.
Police have had care of Stitch since seizing him. Mr Kemp said Bennett had made the “grown-up decision” to sign over legal ownership to the police, who will now decide what happens to him.
Magistrates fined Bennett £40, with a surcharge of £16, and court costs of £85.
