A DOG owner who abandoned a ‘dangerous’ dog which was later shot dead by police has been given a 12 month community order and banned from keeping animals for five years.

Suleman Halane claimed he was at his wits end with the dog, which was “ruining his life”, having wrecked his home and also bit his ex-girlfriend.

The bearded 22-year-old, of Baden Street, Hartlepool, changed his plea to guilty after previously claiming he was not the owner of the dog, nicknamed ‘Angel’ by animal rights supporters.

He had been accused of allowing it to be dangerously out of control in a public place after he tethered the Alsatian Shepherd-type dog to a post.

The dog was tied up in Mainsforth Terrace, Hartlepool at about 2.30am on January 21 and remained there until the following morning.

Members of the public had attempted to feed the animal, which was shot by armed police marksmen after becoming aggressive.

Cleveland Police said it had exhausted all options to keep the animal alive.

In a statement released after the case, Assistant Chief Constable Jason Harwin, of Cleveland Police, said: “Every day officers make difficult decisions.

“Based on the aggressive behaviour of the dog, the expert views of animal welfare professionals and the fact that officers at the scene believed that the dog’s collar was likely to break, potentially putting the public’s safety at risk, the difficult decision was made to destroy the dog.

“Public safety is our priority as always. I am pleased that the person responsible has now been dealt with by the courts.”

Angel’s destruction prompted an outcry, with tens of thousands signing a petition calling for ‘justice’ and venting their anger on social media.

Anne Mitchell, prosecuting at Teesside Magistrates Court, said the actions of the dog were that of an animal dangerously out of control.

She said: “It was extremely strong and aggressive. It was unsafe for anyone to approach it, dog wardens, the RSPCA, they were unable to approach the dog.”

She said all the options had been discussed with the RSPCA and the only option was to put the dog down, which was done swiftly and humanely.

The prosecutor said the dog had been microchipped abroad, but was not registered to anyone. However witnesses saw the dog with Halane, who was later questioned.

He at first denied he had left the dog unattended. He agreed he owed two similar dogs, but refused to present them to the police.

One of the dogs was later identified and Halane said he had re-homed the other.

Mrs Mitchell said CCTV showed Halane with the dog and then returning home without it.

She said it was the Crown’s case that he was not a fit and proper person to own a dog.

Halane, who moved to Hartlepool from London, claimed to want to breed dogs and said he had bought the Alsatian from a legitimate breeder, paying £800 for it.

He told a probation officer that the animal had “lunged” at him when he went to take it out.

Halane, who appeared in court wearing a blue hoody top and carrying a set of headphones, said he did not know what to do with the dog and did not know he could take to the RSPCA.

He had also tried to rehome it, but nobody wanted it.

He eventually decided to take it for a long walk and found a patch of wasteland where he tied it to a pole.

The defendant said he believed dog wardens would collect the dog and take it away and when he heard the news about what had happened he was too scared to come forward.

He said he was extremely ashamed of himself and knew how irresponsible his behaviour was.

Halane, who has criminal offences pre-dating 2011, said he been called names in the street since the incident and received “hassle”.

He had previously been given warnings about his dogs and was visited by RSPCA officials, the court heard.

John Relton, mitigating, said: “He knows he made a grave error. The dog in question had been beyond his control.

“He apologises immediately to the court and those who have taken an interest in the case.”

The solicitor asked that any ban on keeping animals imposed on Halane should be “proportionate”.

District Judge Helen Cousins said Alsatians were not aggressive dogs and said she did not accept that Halane did not know he could take the dog to the RSPCA.

She also said the authorities could not be blamed for the final outcome.

The judge in her sentencing remarks said there were no elements of greater harm which would increase the sentence on Halane and her powers ranged from a discharge to a community order.

Halane was given a 12 month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days and told to abide by the terms of a 12 week curfew which will be electronically tagged and mean he cannot leave his home between 8pm and 6am.

The costs of the case, £620, and an £85 victim surcharge would be deducted from his benefits. Halane was also disqualified from keeping any animal for five years