A DOG walker has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds after a bulldog left a small dog needing surgery and her owner in hospital.

Edward Cornish had been walking his partner's bulldog Coby when the "frightening" attack took place.

After spotting a Corgie Jack Russell mix named Rosie, Coby broke free and ran across to her.

He sunk his teeth into the side of her stomach, biting her close to her tail, despite the efforts of both Cornish and Rosie's owner, James Howard, to stop him.

Mr Howard was left with scratches to his hands and cheek as a result of the attack in Pointout Road, Southampton.

He went to Southampton General Hospital where he was given antibiotics and was bandaged up.

READ MORE: Southampton dog owner 'caught in the crossfire' as he protected pet

Rosie has since had two surgeries but Mr Howard said she's “not the same”.

In a victim personal statement read in court, Mr Howard said the attack has had a “huge knock-on effect” on both him and his partner adding that Rosie is “more than just a pet”.

Prosecuting, Oliver Capildeo told the court how Mr Howard left the scene of the attack but later came back to find Cornish and his partner trying to get a muzzle on Coby.

He added that throughout the incident, Cornish, of Pointout Road, had been shouting that he was sorry whilst attempting to regain control.

Daily Echo: James Howard pictured shortly after he and his dog Rosie were attacked. James Howard pictured shortly after he and his dog Rosie were attacked. (Image: James Howard.)

Appearing in court, the 36-year-old pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

An assessment on Coby found he was not an aggressive dog, the court heard.

Mitigating, Tim Akers said the incident happened at the time of Storm Eunice when, due to high winds, Coby had not been able to use the garden.

Cornish, who works as a chef aboard HMS Mersey for the Royal Navy, had offered to walk him and had “no knowledge of Coby being violent”.

He said: “It is clear that Mr Cornish accepts full responsibility for the offence.

“If he was to receive a sentence of imprisonment today he would be discharged from the Royal Navy.”

Daily Echo: Rosie pictured shortly after she was attacked by another dog. Rosie pictured shortly after she was attacked by another dog. (Image: James Howard.)

Judge Brian Forster KC said it was a “frightening incident” that “no one would have liked to go through”.

“The dog needs to be under proper control. It is fortunate that the injury was not worse.”

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Cornish was ordered to pay a fine of £1,000 as well as compensation of £1,000 to cover Mr Howard’s injuries and a further £800 for vet bills.

He must also pay £400 in prosecution costs and a surcharge of £100.

If the fine isn’t paid, he will have to serve 28 days in prison.

A contingent destruction order was also imposed, meaning Coby must be kept under proper control around visitors.

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