SEVEN dogs owned by a breeder who lost most of his arm after two of his animals attacked him are to be destroyed.

The American bulldogs, owned by Stephen Potts, have been kept in kennels for almost three years, following an incident in which six more of his dogs attacked a Staffordshire bull terrier and a man out walking it.

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard Durham Constabulary applied for the destruction order after unsuccessfully attempting to have Jack, Meg, Pinky, Rufus, Tammy, Angel and Gizmo rehomed.

Kieran O’Neill, who made the application on behalf of the force, said: “It is a very sad case. These seven dogs have been in kennels for almost three years. All seven dogs are extremely distressed. There is no hope for these dogs to be rehomed or retrained.”

In August 2015, Potts, now 50, of Broome Road, Carrville, was given a three month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court and a lifetime ban from keeping dogs after losing control of six dogs in a field, near Pittington, when a Staffordshire bull terrier, Zumo, was attacked.

That incident happened a month after Potts himself lost part of an arm when two of his own dogs turned on him after they were spooked by fireworks.

The court was told some of the animals now facing destruction were owned by Potts’ son who has since died.

Suzanne Hanson, who represented Potts at the hearing, said: “He cannot bring himself to consent to the destruction of his dogs. Mr Potts is made the subject of a dog banning order so they cannot be returned to him.

“We have tried to get them rehomed with various organisations. He does not give his consent but he understands that they cannot go on in kennels on welfare grounds for the dogs. They are not being exercised and they are becoming institutionalised.

“While he does not give his consent, he does not seek to oppose this in any away.”

The order was granted by magistrates.

Chairman of bench Gary Walker said: “We are satisfied that unfortunately there is no hope of these dogs being rehomed.

“We believe that protecting people from dangerous dogs is crucial. We believe that these dogs pose a risk to the public.”