Thug, 25, who ordered his American XL bully to maul driver while high on drugs is jailed for eight years
A THUG who was on high on drugs when he ordered his American XL Bully to maul a driver has been jailed for eight years.
Taig Jepson, 25, unleashed the huge beast on helpless John Forsyth – leaving him with deep cuts and 18 puncture wounds.
The attack happened around 9.30pm on January 6 this year after Mr Forsyth, 26, parked up his car in Warrington.
The poor victim was then pulled on “like a tug of war” when the suspected 100 kilo hound sunk its teeth into his arm.
Mr Foryth had to undergo surgery to repair muscle damage and spent three days in hospital following the savaging.
He also suffered scratches to his nose and head after Jepson kicked him as he lay on the ground.
Jepson, of Cheshire, was under the influence of drink and drugs when he told his dog Lexi to “attack”, a court heard.
After pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog, Jepson admitted he had no memory of the horror.
Judge David Aubrey, KC, said the combination of Jepson and the dog was “a lethal cocktail, as events clearly demonstrated” and he went on to describe the dog as “a potentially highly dangerous weapon”.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Mr Forsyth had gotten out of his car on that night to wave at neighbour, Denis Lunka, who beeped his horn in response.
This sparked a fuse in Jepson who started arguing with Mr Lunka.
Mr Forsyth tried to explain to Jepson that Mr Lunka had just been beeping at him.
But the crook punched Mr Fosyth to the head knocking his glasses off before setting the dog on him.
Martyn Walsh, prosecuting, said: “The dog had pulled him like a tug of war.
“Mr Forsyth backed away and the defendant told the dog to attack him, saying ‘attack’.
“He was unable to get away as the dog clamped onto him and the defendant was punching and kicking him.
“Neighbours came to help and Jepson and the dog ran away. The defendant left behind his bank car keys and a hat.”
In an impact statement Mr Forysth said he had to stay off work for six weeks because of his injuries.
He also told how he was left thousands of pounds out of pocket because he didn’t get sick pay.
David Ross, defending, said that drink and drugs turned Jepson into a different person, adding: “It is a Jekyll and Hyde situation.”
Jepson was told he will have to serve two thirds of the eight year sentence as he was banned from keeping a dog for ten years.
The dog was ordered to be destroyed but Jepson’s defence claimed they don’t know where it is.
MPs recently called for the breed to become the fifth one banned in the UK.
It comes following a spate of terrifying an deadly attacks just this year.
Senior Tory MP Sir John Hayes said the “bred to kill” dog, which is closely related to the banned Pit Bull Terrier, should also have legal restrictions.
BANNED DOG BREEDS
ALL four of these dog breeds were banned in the UK when the Dangerous Dogs Act came into force in 1991:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro