Dog owner 'devastated' after his puppy was mauled to death by dog called The Undertaker

A pet dog named The Undertaker will not be put down after it mauled a puppy to death on the Camel Trail in Cornwall, a court has decided.

A six-month-old shitzu named Oreo was mauled to death by The Undertaker - a Japanese akita. Its owner, Mike Hooper from Bodmin, was also bitten on the hand whilst trying to intervene.

A statement from Hooper which was read out in court said: “Words can’t describe how I feel. I can hear Oreo screaming in pain when I try and sleep. I feel utterly useless, I couldn’t stop him from getting hurt, I am devastated and extremely angry she did nothing to help.

“Oreo was my wife’s dog, she’s disabled and it has affected her too. My hand was very sore and painful, I called an ambulance because I was in such a state.

“I had an angina attack afterwards as well. We spent a lot on Oreo, not that this has anything to do with money, which makes me feel even more stressed. I’m now anxious around other dogs. I do want to get another in the future, but I’m not sure I could.”

38-year-old Claire Hancock, of Tredanek Close, Bodmin, appeared in front of Bodmin magistrates to be sentenced, having previously pleaded guilty to being the owner or person responsible for The Undertaker.  

Japanese akitas, depending on the exact breed, can grow up to 41kg to 50kg (90lbs to 110lbs) and 60cm long.

The attack happened on Sunday 18 April as Hooper was walking his American miniature shitzu along the Camel Trail. 

The Undertaker was being walked by Hancock’s 17-year-old daughter, and as they got closer to Hooper, it slipped the choke chain lead restraining it. The court heard how Undertaker "instantly" attacked Oreo, killing him by biting him on the back. 

After it bit Hooper on the hand, the girl then managed to get The Undertaker back on his lead. She walked home without exchanging details with Mr Hooper.

A witness on the day of the attack described seeing the girl holding the dog between her legs, keeping it faced away from other dogs to calm it down.

Hancock’s daughter had called her mum, explaining the problems she was having. Hancock told her daughter to take Undertaker back home by herself.

Hancock’s defence said Undertaker, who has since been re-homed and renamed, is now being looked after by a family who are experts on breeds of dogs including akitas.

The defence also stated Hancock’s status as the carer of a two-year-old, her lack of previous convictions and her cooperation immediately after the attack to seek advice from someone with significant dog experience.

Her lawyer told the court: “This is a case where my client was naïve rather than malicious. She’ll have learned her lesson, taking care of a dog of that significant size.”

Addressing the court, the chairman of the magistrates bench concluded: “This was a serious incident and we've discussed it freely and openly.

“I don't suppose everyone’s going to be happy with the result but a decision is a decision. We will make no contingent dog destruction order, on the condition that the dog will be on a lead, harnessed and muzzled at all times in a public place.

“It must be held secure in a garden with a minimum of a six foot fence. No one under 18 years is to control the dog."

Hancock was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a £140 compensation fine to be paid to Mr Hooper for the distress caused. She was also given an order banning her from keeping dogs.

Speaking after the court hearing, which took place on Friday (3 December), Mr Hooper said that if he were the owner of a dog which killed another like this - he’d call a vet at once to have it put down.

He said: “I’m glad it’s over but if the dog attacks again, it will be put down.

“In my opinion, if it has done it once it’ll do it again. If someone has this breed of dog, they shouldn’t ever let them off a lead or a harness. To me, they should be licensed.”