Crook dad's relief after case against Buddy the Chihuahua is dismissed

Dad-of-three Ashley Routledge appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after an incident involving Avon worker Louise Elliff, last year.

The 30-year-old of Crook said he felt a "massive weight" had been lifted, as he said his life had been made a "misery" over fears his two-year-old dog, Buddy could be destroyed.

Mr Routledge, who had previously slammed any suggestion his dog was dangerous, appeared in court following a charge of owning a dog "dangerously out of control.”

Read more: Crook dad faces court after Buddy the chihuahua 'nipped' woman

The charge, which comes under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, can result in the owner of the dog found guilty being jailed, depending on its severity.

Buddy, the two-year-old Chihuahua Picture: JIM SCOTT

It says that a person found guilty can also be sentenced to up to five years, and in some cases, the dog ordered to be destroyed.

Ms Elliff had previously told The Sun newspaper that Buddy had come out of the house before “nipping” her leg, leaving a “bleeding” injury and a bruise.

She had told the newspaper that the dog had showed aggression, while she was in Mr Routledge’s Garden collecting a catalogue, adding that she had been left terrified by the incident.

Mr Routledge later hit back at the claims branding them “ridiculous,” while saying it had been a “freak accident” and that Buddy had been anxious around new people.

But on Wednesday, the court heard how Ms Elliff had been unable to attend in person in order to provide evidence after she could not access a video link due to “resources.”

Lodging an application for the case to be adjourned to a later date, Lesley Burgess of the prosecution said Ms Elliff was currently bedridden due to a “significant spinal injury.”

She said as a result, she could not attend but had tried to secure a computer to appear via video link from Durham Police, neighbouring forces, friends and family, but to no avail.

The court heard how up until the day before the hearing, Ms Elliff had been trying to source a laptop as she was “more than happy and willing” to give evidence.

But John Turner, defending Mr Routledge, said he refused to believe claims a laptop could not be secured in time, saying there had been “ample” opportunity.

Urging District Judge Jane Hamilton to refuse the prosecution’s application, Mr Turner said his client had suffered from mental health problems, suggesting it could worsen if the case is again adjourned.

He said: “This is a gentleman who has mental health problems - he suffers from PTSD, diagnosed in May this year, anxiety and depression, diagnosed ten years ago.

"He was placed in care from his childhood, and his father died last year from Covid – this is a man who suffers with his mental health.”

Mr Turner went on to say that despite his client’s mental health, he had managed to appear in the court for the hearing.

But taking into account that it was the prosecution that had requested to adjourn the hearing, Judge Hamilton said the case would be dismissed.

In response, a visibly relieved Mr Routledge said: “Thank you so much, thank you so much.”

Following the case, Mr Routledge said: “I feel relieved, so relieved. This is a massive weight off my shoulders, you’ve had no idea how much pressure this has had on me. This has made my life a misery for months.”

The case was originally due to be heard at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on July 8 but was adjourned to today’s date.

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