Charity runners given tetanus jabs after dog runs riot on Hampstead Heath

Two charity fundraisers had to be given tetanus injections after a dog tore into a group of runners on Hampstead Heath, a court heard.

The Staffordshire bull terrier raced into a huddle of runners on June 6 as 3,000 ladies raced across the open space to raise money for Cancer Research. One woman was bitten on the buttock, puncturing the skin, while another suffered injuries to her abdomen as the pet pooch ran riot off its lead.

Following the attack owner John O’Leary muttered an apology and carried on walking, Highbury Corner Magistrates Court was told on Thursday (October 25).

The two Race for Life runners, Gill Ayling and Miriam Shenny, were given first aid on site before being rushed to the Royal Free Hospital and given tetanus jabs and antibiotics to guard against their wounds becoming infected.

They were not able to finish the 5km fundraising race.

O’Leary, from Donegal Street near King’s Cross, pleaded guilty to failing to keep his dog under proper control – a breach of a Heath byelaw.

When he was arrested on June 12 he told police: “He gets excited. I didn’t know about the run.

“The dog got caught up with the runners and my dog was off the lead at the time. He could not see me and panicked.”

Pensioner O’Leary was fined �400.