Not thinking about compensation do you think?


The owner of an American bulldog, shot dead by police marksmen after attacking a man in Cheltenham, has maintained that his pet was not dangerous.

Jason Dobson, 34, was charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act after the incident on Friday, in Joyner Road, Hesters Way.

A 33-year-old man remains in a stable condition in hospital after being treated for wrist, body and leg wounds.

Mr Dobson, who was released on police bail, said the animal, named Archie, was not usually aggressive.

"He wasn't dangerous at all, apart from what happened yesterday," said Mr Dobson, who also suffered a bite wound.

"I don't know, I just think he didn't like the bloke, I reckon."

The animal was shot dead after attempts by dog handlers to calm it failed.

A police officer, who was also bitten, was released from hospital after treatment.

Martin Merenko, who was viciously attacked by a bulldog, says he's lucky to be alive.The 33-year-old, who is in a stable condition in hospital, suffered agonising injuries to his body in a 30-minute attack on Friday.

Martin was rushed to Cheltenham General Hospital for emergency surgery to his inch-deep bite wounds which cover his right arm, both legs and back.

Surgeons inserted metal staples inside Martin's skin to hold his infected wounds together. The dog was shot by a police marksman.

The self-employed welder from Slovakia spends most of the day asleep in his private hospital room.

He's drowsy from two days on morphine but at the same time restless with the pain.

His partner Mary Healy, 68, has been by his bedside.

Martin, who lives with Mary in Bridgend Road, Cheltenham, has not told his parents in Slovakia about the attack because his elderly mother could not handle the news.

He came to Cheltenham two years ago to find work and met Mary through the dog's owner Jason Dobson.

Martin, who speaks broken English, said: "I was playing with the dog and kissing him in the kitchen and then we went to leave and he attacked me for no reason.

"Jason tried to pull him off me, but he was bitten on the arm. I ended up outside with the dog on my back.

"I tried to struggle out of my fleece to give it to the dog, but he jumped back on top of me."

Jason managed to phone Mary for help but dropped his mobile and the dog took a bite out of his right arm.

Mary said: "I was around the corner when he called and I knew something was wrong.

"All I could hear was screaming and shouting in the background and then all I could hear and see were police cars."

Martin said: "I'm lucky to be alive, but it's not Jason's fault. We'll remain friends."

Jason, who owned the bulldog, says Alfie was a loving, gentle pet.

The 34-year-old was charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act after the attack in Joyner Road, in Hester's Way.

He was released on police bail and will appear before Cheltenham magistrates on Wednesday.

He said that his girlfriend's two-year-old son Tyler regularly fed the dog chocolate buttons from his hand.

Jason said he and Martin were on the way out of the house to the supermarket when the dog jumped on top of Martin.

"I walked out of the kitchen and Martin was following me when Alfie starting biting him.

"I tried to drag him away but he snapped at me. I tried to separate them and push the dog onto the street, but they ended up outside."

Jason poured water over the dog, but it held on for an agonising 30 minutes.

He called for an ambulance and then wrapped Martin's wounds with towels to stop the bleeding.

The animal was shot dead by a marksman after attempts by dog handlers to calm it failed. A police officer was also bitten.

Jason said: "I just think the dog thought this is my territory."

He bought the dog from a friend eight months ago.
Gloucestershire Echo