A DOG owner has appeared in court accused of manslaughter after his pet mauled a man to death in an alleged row over a right of way.
Police swooped on the footpath in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Saturday afternoon following reports a man had been bitten by a German Shepherd during an “altercation”.
James Judge, 55, was rushed to hospital but could not be saved and was declared dead shortly after.
Lee Ellis, also 55, appeared at Bradford Magistrates’ Court today charged with manslaughter and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.
Rob Fones, representing Ellis, said there was “a verbal altercation in regards to right of way”.
The court was told an initial post-mortem had been unable to determine the exact number of dog bites to James but a bite to the back of his right knee had significantly contributed to his death.
District Judge Mark Daley bailed Ellis until his next appearance at Leeds Crown Court on September 16, on the condition he sleeps every night at his home address.
Ellis, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms, wiped his eyes and nose with a tissue during the hearing.
A German Shepherd dog seized as part of this investigation is being held in police kennels.
James was raced to hospital in a critical condition following the horror but died shortly after 7pm that night.
Cops said on Sunday that two women had stopped to help him after the attack and urged them to get in touch.
In a statement today, the force said: “Lee Ellis, aged 55, of Blacker Lane, Calder Grove, Wakefield, has been charged with manslaughter and being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.
“He has been remanded in custody to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court later today.
“The charges relate to an incident on the old trainline footpath off Blacker Lane on Saturday afternoon.
“A German Shepherd dog seized as part of this investigation continues to be held in police kennels.
“The family of the 55-year-old man who died are being supported by specially trained officers.”
