Caretaker of Pitbulls who attacked woman fined over $2K
The caretaker of two aggressive Pitbulls who attacked a woman in Lower Estate back in 2018 has been slapped with more than $2,000 in fines.
Samantha Penn was initially charged with Reckless & Negligent Act, Failure to Restrain Dog During Certain Hours, and Failure to Register Dog.
She pleaded guilty to Reckless & Negligent Act, and Failure to Restrain Dog During Hours but not guilty to the offence of Failure to Register Dog. The Crown later withdrew the latter charge.
What the court heard happened
The court heard that around 10:10 pm on February 17, 2018, the complainant (the victim) in the matter left her apartment and was walking along a public road when she heard someone telling her to run.
She immediately heard the sound of chains jangling, and before she realized what was happening, she was surrounded by two dogs.
The court heard that she used her cellphone to shine light on the animals and identified the two dogs as the Pitbulls belonging to Penn, the defendant.
Mauled
The court further heard that she began walking at a slow pace in an attempt to not aggravate the animals, when they both lunged at her and bit her on her left calf, causing her to fall to the ground. The dogs continued to attack her and bit her on the left shoulder and on her back until one of the neighbours came to her rescue.
Police subsequently intervened in the matter and the complainant was brought to the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital for medical attention.
During the police investigation, Penn was found and questioned.
She told police that she was made aware of the incident and she had inspected the dogs to see if there was any blood around their mouth and did not see any. As a result, she concluded that her dogs were not involved in the incident.
She told the officers she had three dogs, two of which were aggressive, the court heard.
Sentence
Magistrate DaBreo fined the dog owner $2,000 for the offence of Reckless & Negligent Act. In default of not paying, she will spend four months at Her Majesty’s Prison.
For the other offence of Failure To Restrain Dog, Penn was fined $200. She will spend seven days at the adult penitentiary is that fine is not paid.
The court also ordered that Penn pay $1,500 compensation to the victim. If she does not pay, she will spend two months imprisonment. The court said she would still have to pay compensation upon her release.
Penn has two weeks to make the payments.
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It’s about time…they took too much advantage of ppl up there after the hurricanes. The dogs … always chasing after ppl. I know.
Is the accused a staff of the same Magistrate’s Court?
3 dogs and 2 are aggressive, but yet “Inspector” Penn checked the dogs and since she didn’t see any blood by their mouth, her conclusion was that her dogs were not the ones that attacked the lady. Give her an award, that woman is brilliant.
In my opinion, Justice was not served. $1,500.00 to compensate the victim? Madam,I advise you to seek further legal representation.
Additionally, if the dogs have not been ‘put down’ they need to be with immediate effect.
Put the ***** down, not the dogs
Just think of the irony…heavy chains etc, does this tell us a story? Maybe, maybe not, but I sure would be a VERY angry person in heavy chains.
If these dogs caused such a nuisance why didn’t someone reported them or poison them?
Yeah just poison them… Good old BVI, never lets you down when it comes to animal cruelty. Lets all take the law into our own hands and see where that takes us. Brilliant move you dispicable human being.
Unfortunately, we have to take the law into our own hands because we do not have any systems that work. If you are scared of being mauled by a neighborhood dogs that are not contained what do you do? If the country had proper systems that work people would not be forced to such drastic measures
There are many people who keep dogs that are dangerous and not trained properly. These dogs should have been destroyed after the incident and Penn should have had restrictions on owning dangerous breeds (or animals in general). These animals are usually only attacking like this pursuant to mistreatment. This is serious and prevalent. Do we have to wait until someone related to those currently in power is also attacked?
Put down the o*++r down, not the dogs
It was reported
There are a number of similar cases around. These owners need to be punish more severely
There needs to be a ban on pit bulls in this country.
These dogs are fierce and most times their owners can’t manage them.
Numerous times I see these dogs walking their owners. Crazy!!
I am not surprised!
No Dogs on beach. This is what they tell people who used to love, walk and play with their animals on the beach. Lets face it ex-pats care for their animals.
Locals’ idea of caring is a heavy truck chain tied to the neck then tied to an old car in the sunny yard, barking not at robbers but for shade and food.
You and your animal (s) need to go back where you come from.
DOGS WERE NOT PUT ON THIS PLANET TO LIVE ON A 3 FOOT HEAVY CHAIN. IT IS WORSE THAN A LIFE TIME PRISON SENTENCE.
WHY ARE THE PEOPLE IN THE BVI SO CRUEL AND THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT SLAVERY. EVERY WHERE YOU LOOK YOU SEE ABUSE, NEGLECT AND CRUELTY.UNEDUCATED , IGNORANT.