Dog Owner Jailed After Fatal Mauling Incident

Gary Stevens has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after his Cane Corso cross dog fatally mauled his younger brother, Wayne Stevens, in Derby on April 22, 2023. The attack happened after the brothers returned home from a pub and were drinking, resulting in a chaotic scene where Gary, heavily intoxicated, was unable to control the dog. Emergency services faced obstruction and misinformation from Gary, who falsely claimed the dog was a poodle, and the dog was eventually shot dead by police. The court heard that Gary was aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies and had received it from someone who could no longer care for it. Judge Shaun Smith KC emphasized Gary's knowledge of the danger posed by the dog, exacerbated by his alcohol consumption. This incident has highlighted the severe consequences of failing to manage dangerous dogs responsibly.