A KILLER dog that decapitated a 'fluffy' family pet will be destroyed and its owner banned from keeping animals.

Halton Magistrates Court heard today how Margaret Antell, caring for Pomeranian Elvis, had to pick up the remaining pieces of the tiny dog in a blanket after it was ripped apart by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Magistrates called it a 'horrific crime'.

The dangerous dog, called George, will now be destroyed after an expert decided it was the only safe option to prevent 'further acts of aggression' towards other dogs. 

The court heard the dog did not pose a threat to humans.

Owner David John Savage, aged 44, of Folley Lane, was banned for owning dogs for 10 years.

Gary Heaven, defending, said the Staffy's behavior was not his fault.

"Mr Savage is not directly responsible for the character of the dog," said Mr Heaven.

"The dog was obtained about four months prior to events.

"The dog at the time was about 15 months old.

"It was a fairly boisterous animal.

"It could be trusted around children.

"Mr Savage didn't see anything like the behaviour that occurred that day."

Mr Heaven compared his ownership to taking an animal from a rescue centre when backgrounds of animals are not known.

The woman walking the attack dog appeared in court for the first time today.

Susan Campbell, aged 42, of Thelwall Lane, said she had been left 'just as traumatised' as the owner by the incident.

Representing herself during proceedings, Campbell said: “The situation that happened that day was traumatic for me and David too.

“It wasn't something that we intended to do, it wasn't something we enjoyed.

“It was hard for me to control the dog.

“I did everything I could.”

Campbell, who appeared to be falling asleep during proceedings and whose speech was slurred, defended how nine-year-old Elvis had been treated.

“We didn't mean to disregard the dog with any disrespect – we were in shock,” she added.

Campbell, who is unemployed and on benefits, failed to turn up at court this morning.

A warrant was issued before she appeared late, blaming having to find her own transport.

She has failed to turn up to all court dates in the case so far, with previous convictions for the same offence.

The defendant has 15 previous convictions for 43 offences including being drunk when caring for a child.

Elvis was mauled to death on Kingsway South, Latchford, on August 1.

Witnesses reported seeing Savage 'something brown and fluffy' being snatched in the jaws of the Staffy, with the defendant then throwing the Pomeranian's head under a car after it had been torn off.

Colin Parry, chairman of the bench, said: “This was a horrific crime to an incident animal and owners who had a right for their animal to live a long and healthy life.

“That was cut short by your irresponsibility.”

Savage, who also appeared to fall asleep during proceedings but blamed medication, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He will also pay compensation to the victims of £300 and a victim surcharge of £80.

Sentencing for Campbell was adjourned until October 7 for reports.

Following the case, Gemma Antell, who owned Elvis, said: “I don't know how they can say they are as traumatised as our family.

“I had to tell my children their dog had been killed.

“They weren't traumatised when they were shouting at my mother during the incident.

“No punishment is suitable.

“They should not have had a dog in the first place.

“We are dog lovers and don't want any dogs to be killed and now because of them two are dead.”