A BREEDER who lost an arm after he was savaged by his own American bulldogs appeared in court today (Thursday, November 27) in connection with an alleged dog attack on a man in a separate incident.

Stephen Leonard Potts, 48, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, accused of being the owner of seven American bulldogs which were dangerously out of control in Low Pittington, near Durham, on October 21.

The court heard a 63-year-old man was allegedly attacked by Mr Potts’ dogs.

Patricia Ayre, 66, who was with Mr Potts at the time, faced the same charge.

Mr Potts had his right arm amputated after being mauled by his dogs in an attack as he walked them about a month before the alleged incident.

The court was told they had taken seven of Mr Potts' 14 American bulldogs for a walk at the same time the victim left his home to exercise his son’s Staffordshire bull terrier.

Mr Potts’ dogs were off the leash, as was the Staffordshire bull terrier – on either side of a fence. When the victim noticed the other dogs he immediately put his on a lead.

Janice Bellamy, prosecuting said: “When the American bull dogs began to run towards him, the victim closed a gate between them and tried to wedge it shut with his foot.

“But one of dogs managed to bite him on the calf through the gate and at that he released pressure on the gate and all of the dogs got through.”

The court was told five of the dogs attacked the victim, biting his head - causing him to lose part of his scalp - as well as on both calves and right arm.

Ms Bellamy said: “Throughout the attack he was trying to protect his dog. It was ripped from his arms and attacked by the American bulldogs.”

Mr Potts of Coronation Crescent, Low Pittington, and Patricia Ayre, of Rosedale Close, Sedgefield, were not asked to plead.

District judge Christine Harrison declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Durham Crown Court for a hearing on December 11.