A SOUTHAMPTON man was badly bitten on his hands and face as he tried to protect his pet from another dog, a court heard.

James Howard was exercising Rosie when a bulldog being taken for a walk by one of his neighbours broke free and ran towards them.

Mr Howard, of Pointout Road, was "caught in the crossfire" and fears he may be scarred for life, Southampton magistrates were told.

Quoting from statements the victim made after the incident on February 18 this year Natalie Angel, prosecuting, said the bulldog - Kobi - was "incredibly strong" and "wildly out of control".

Daily Echo: Rosie pictured shortly after she was attacked by another dog in February this yearRosie pictured shortly after she was attacked by another dog in February this year (Image: James Howard)

Mr Howard's injuries included a facial wound that was cleaned and bandaged in A&E.

Rosie was also hurt and had to have several operations, resulting in vets' bills of more than £1,300, the court was told.

READ MORE: Southampton man James Howard injured in dog attack near his home

Miss Angel said: "Mr Howard still has a scar under his eye. He has been told it should go in time but he doesn't believe it will."

Cornish, 36, of Pointout Road, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control, causing injury.

READ MORE: Southampton dog owner's horror after beloved pet attacked by pitbull

Jane Hiatt, mitigating, said he was walking someone else's dog when the incident occurred.

She stressed that the animal normally wore a muzzle and a harness when it was out in public, adding that Cornish was "negligent on that one occasion".

Describing her client as "very remorseful" she added: "Mr Howard was caught in the crossfire. The defendant did everything he could to stop the attack."

READ MORE: Dog and owner attacked by American XL bulldog in Lordshill

Kobi is now exercised in a private field and always wears a muzzle and harness when being taken to and from the car, the court was told.

But District Judge Peter Greenfield cited the serious nature of the injuries suffered by Mr Howard and a previous incident in which Kobi bit a woman in Andover in 2019. He ruled that Cornish should be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on January 3.

Speaking shortly after the incident Mr Howard told the Daily Echo: "The other dog went for us and latched on to Rosie. At one stage I was lying on the ground trying to separate the two animals.

READ MORE: Woman's shock after dog attack in Riverside Park

"I’ve had dogs my whole life but I’m more wary of both people and dogs as a result of what happened."

His girlfriend, Harriet Lee, added: "James was bitten on the face as he tried to pull Rosie free and push the other dog away."

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