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Man jailed after his bulldog savaged and killed his grandmother Man jailed after his bulldog savaged and killed his grandmother
(about 1 hour later)
A man has been jailed for five-and-a-half years after his bulldog killed his grandmother in a vicious attack.A man has been jailed for five-and-a-half years after his bulldog killed his grandmother in a vicious attack.
Rona Greve, 64, died after being bitten 16 times by the American bulldog, named Solo, which was illegally owned by her grandson Craig Greve, 23. Rhona Greve, 64, died after being bitten 16 times by the American bulldog, named Solo, which was illegally owned by her grandson, Craig Greve, 23.
Mrs Greve was mauled by the dog after it was left in her care while her grandson went out with friends. She suffered multiple wounds and broken bones.Mrs Greve was mauled by the dog after it was left in her care while her grandson went out with friends. She suffered multiple wounds and broken bones.
Judge Eleri Rees said: “Solo was too strong and powerful for her to control. She was the victim of a vicious and sustained attack and must have suffered excruciating pain. She suffered a shocking attack. She must have suffered greatly.”Judge Eleri Rees said: “Solo was too strong and powerful for her to control. She was the victim of a vicious and sustained attack and must have suffered excruciating pain. She suffered a shocking attack. She must have suffered greatly.”
Cardiff crown court heard the three-year-old dog had attacked Mrs Greve on four occasions before the fatal attack in March. But, in order to protect her grandson, she had told medical staff when she twice had treatment that she had injured herself accidentally.Cardiff crown court heard the three-year-old dog had attacked Mrs Greve on four occasions before the fatal attack in March. But, in order to protect her grandson, she had told medical staff when she twice had treatment that she had injured herself accidentally.
The court was additionally told that Craig had been banned for life from owning a dog after Solo had attacked another dog in the street. He also served four months in jail for assaulting his grandmother by trying to strangle her. The court was additionally told that Craig had been banned for life from owning a dog after Solo had attacked another dog in the street. He also served four months in prison for assaulting his grandmother by trying to strangle her.
The attack happened after Craig returned from a drinking session to the home he shared with his grandmother at Ely in Cardiff. The dog launched his attack as she went to answer the door, and Craig witnessed the attack through the glass panel. The attack happened after Craig returned from a drinking session to the home he shared with his grandmother in Ely, Cardiff. The dog launched his attack as she went to answer the door, and Craig witnessed the attack through the glass panel.
Prosecutor David Elias told the court: “The dog attacked and mauled Mrs Greve and she died as a result of her injuries. He was knocking on the front door when Solo attacked Mrs Greve and dragged her to the floor. David Elias, prosecuting, told the court: “The dog attacked and mauled Mrs Greve and she died as a result of her injuries. He was knocking on the front door when Solo attacked Mrs Greve and dragged her to the floor.
“He could see what was happening through the door’s glass panel and smashed a window at the back of the house to get in.”“He could see what was happening through the door’s glass panel and smashed a window at the back of the house to get in.”
Neighbours who heard screams found Mrs Greve bleeding from multiple bite wounds with her clothes stained with blood.Neighbours who heard screams found Mrs Greve bleeding from multiple bite wounds with her clothes stained with blood.
Police who were initially called to help said that Mrs Greve, who suffered from a heart condition, was able to talk to them and neighbours but later suffered a heart attack and died despite the efforts of paramedics and doctors to save her.Police who were initially called to help said that Mrs Greve, who suffered from a heart condition, was able to talk to them and neighbours but later suffered a heart attack and died despite the efforts of paramedics and doctors to save her.
They described the dog as “snarling with blood on its teeth” and said that after the attack Craig had told them: “My life is over. What have I done? I’m going to kill myself.”They described the dog as “snarling with blood on its teeth” and said that after the attack Craig had told them: “My life is over. What have I done? I’m going to kill myself.”
American bulldogs are not illegal under UK law, which bans ownership of pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogos Argentinos and filas Brasilieros. But owners are advised to ensure their American bulldogs receive suitable socialising and firm training from an early age.American bulldogs are not illegal under UK law, which bans ownership of pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogos Argentinos and filas Brasilieros. But owners are advised to ensure their American bulldogs receive suitable socialising and firm training from an early age.
Craig, who was brought up by his grandmother, admitted being the owner of a “dog dangerously out of control which injured Mrs Greve resulting in her death”.Craig, who was brought up by his grandmother, admitted being the owner of a “dog dangerously out of control which injured Mrs Greve resulting in her death”.
Elias told the court: “At the time of the previous incidents Mrs Greve was intimidated by her grandson to lie to medical staff. He was bullying her and she was scared of him.”Elias told the court: “At the time of the previous incidents Mrs Greve was intimidated by her grandson to lie to medical staff. He was bullying her and she was scared of him.”
Craig’s lawyer, John Charles Rees QC, claimed that Mrs Greve would have lived if paramedics had arrived earlier. He claimed that one ambulance crew were on a half-hour break when the call came in.Craig’s lawyer, John Charles Rees QC, claimed that Mrs Greve would have lived if paramedics had arrived earlier. He claimed that one ambulance crew were on a half-hour break when the call came in.
“Her cardiac arrest came one-and-a-half hours after the ambulance service was called,” Rees said. “Their break took priority over an emergency call. There is a probability that if an ambulance had turned up she would not have died.”“Her cardiac arrest came one-and-a-half hours after the ambulance service was called,” Rees said. “Their break took priority over an emergency call. There is a probability that if an ambulance had turned up she would not have died.”
Mrs Greve had been a full-time carer for her husband, Malcolm, as he battled emphysema. Craig moved in with her after her husband died five years earlier.Mrs Greve had been a full-time carer for her husband, Malcolm, as he battled emphysema. Craig moved in with her after her husband died five years earlier.