Qld: Man goes berserk after dog bite

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2004
Qld: Man goes berserk after dog bite

By Suzanne Klotz

BRISBANE, Feb 18 AAP - Dog-owner Russell Blyth was bashed with a steering lock by a
passer-by who claimed his "happy, yappy" pet had bitten him, a Brisbane court was told
today.

Mr Blyth said today he was still shocked by the attack and can't believe his small,
fluffy Bichon Frise, called Coco, had ever bitten David John Roden.

Roden, 43, was sentenced to 200 hours community service for what a judge said was his
unprovoked attack on Mr Blyth of north suburban Brendale in April last year.

Roden had pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to assault causing bodily harm
while armed.

Mr Blyth was walking two-year-old Coco and his three-year-old Maltese Terrier, Paddy,
outside his local vet at Strathpine in Brisbane while waiting for an appointment.

Roden walked close by and accused Coco of biting him.

The men argued before Roden got a wheel lock and started bashing Mr Blyth about the
head and back, knocking him to the ground, and only stopped when a passerby pulled him
away.

Mr Blyth suffered cuts and bruises and was off work for a month.

Sentencing Roden, Judge Tony Healy said the unprovoked attack caused a great deal of
distress and pain to the victim.

Defence barrister Colin Reid said Roden was under a lot of stress at the time and "just snapped".

Outside court today, Mr Blyth said he was amazed and shocked over the attack and denied
Coco had bitten Roden.

"They are happy, yappy dogs, very tame, loving little creatures," he said.

Roden was also ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation to Mr Blyth.

AAP smk/sc/sp/maur/br

KEYWORD: RODEN (PIX AVAILABLE)

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