AN OWNER urged his dog to attack a group of "frightened" men during an unprovoked attack on a quiet Southampton road.

Ashley Singh smashed a bottle and waved it in the faces of three men who been on the road visiting a relative when the 27-year-old carried out his sustained attack.

One victim, who was targeted by the animal, was left "scared of seeing dogs in public" after he jumped on top of a nearby car to try and get out of the way.

When Singh was finally arrested by officers, his reign of abuse continued as he racially and homophobically abused them in what was described as a "disgusting" tirade.

Southampton Crown Court heard that the group had gone to Mandela Way, Freemantle, at around 6.50pm on March 11, 2018.

While they stood outside talking, one victim said a dog came out of nowhere barking and being aggressive.

Lucy Conroy, prosecuting, told the court the victim shouted to Singh, who was following the dog closely behind, to control his dog, a normally well-behaved and loving Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

She said: "The defendant then ran up to him with a broken glass bottle in his hand. The victim urged the others to go into the address and he put a refuse bin between himself and Singh for protection.

"Singh began shouting 'It's my dog...I will kill you'. He continued waving the bottle at him."

While this was happening Kush was chasing another victim who was forced to rush on top of a nearby car in a bid to stave of its attacks.

He was bitten by the dog and said in a victim impact statement: "The incident made me frightened...I did not expect to be attacked. It's left me scared of dogs since this happened and I am fearful that I may be attacked again this way."

The statement added: "I am scared if I see this man again that he might attack me."

The group managed to get into their Land Rover before calling the police. Officers took Singh to Southampton Central Police Station, but on the trip he subjected them to more abuse.

Keeley Harvey, mitigating, said: "He has no recollection or reason for the attack or abuse those people suffered.

"At the heart of this, is Singh's addiction to illicit substances and drink. He wants to be able to move on. He lost control."

The court heard that Kush was a well behaved dog but that it may have become aggressive as it wanted to protect Singh, who encouraged it to attack.

Singh, of Mandela Way, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

An order was made banning Singh from owning a dog for two years.