Pet owner, 54, whose dog mauled his younger brother in 'horrific' attack is jailed

Gary Stevens, 54, arriving at Derby Crown Court Credit: BPM Media

A dog owner whose Cane Corso cross mauled his younger brother to death in a "horrific" attack at their home has been jailed.

Gary Stevens, 54, had previously admitted to being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in the death of his brother, 51-year-old Wayne Stevens.

The attack happened in a house in Derby at 5.50am on April 22 2023 and on Friday the court heard the dog was "incredibly heavy".

The prosecutor said: "The dog weighed 50kg, it was an incredibly heavy dog."

The dog was shot dead at the time by the police.

Miss Pitman said Stevens was abusive and "mocking" to the emergency services who showed fear of the dog as he struggled to get it under control.

A dog at the address was presenting a risk to officers and the public, and was shot dead by firearms officers Credit: Ashley Kirk

She said: "He was threatening to turn the dog on them and a number of officers armed with Tasers pointed it at the dog and then fired them which incapacitated it as they tried to drag it towards the police van.

"But one Taser barbs came free and armed officers arrived and had no other option but to shoot the dog."

Tony Stanford, mitigating, said his client had taken the dog - called Ace - from his niece who was unable to look after it as she had five children in her home.

He said: "She says 'If I knew Ace would have behaved this way I would never have given him to Gary. He had never behaved like this'."

The attack happened in a house in Derby at 5.50am on April 22 2023 Credit: Ashley Kirk

  • 'The dog attack lasted an hour', court hears

Judge Shaun Smith KC said: "The (whole) incident lasted almost an hour and caused significant fear and distress, it was evident you had no control over the dog whatsoever.

"Your brother suffered multiple lacerations to the face, hands and legs.

"You told the police the dog normally goes for the head and face ‘because that’s what these dogs do, they are biting dogs'.

"You said the dog had bitten a couple of people before but you did not report those incidents to the police.”

Gary Stevens has been jailed at Derby Crown Court for four-and-a-half years.

The paramedic who bravely entered the house and was bitten by the dog has been awarded a £500 High Sheriff's award.

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