Mum-of-five jailed after man loses limbs in dog attack

A mother-of-five has been jailed after she ignored warnings and her two Rottweilers savaged a pensioner in West Sussex.

Vic Franklin, 79, was attacked in August 2023 near his home in Bognor Regis while walking his own dog. Mr Franklin's left leg, right arm and left middle finger were later amputated.

At an earlier hearing, Chloe Taylor, 27, and her partner Matthew Roberts, 30, from Chichester, pleaded guilty to two counts of being in charge of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place.

Taylor was jailed for two years and three months at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday. Roberts was given a one-year suspended sentence, 100 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days.

The court heard how the two dogs could have killed Mr Franklin had it not been for a "heroic" neighbour who fought them off with a spirit level.

Police marksmen shot both dogs dead at the scene.

Judge William Ashworth said Taylor had been officially warned about neighbours' concerns and advised she was in breach of the tenancy agreement by keeping the dogs at the house.

A series of warnings over the aggression shown by the dogs were issued and ignored, the judge added.

The last warning came two days before Mr Franklin was attacked.

Judge Ashworth told Taylor: "It is a scene of utter horror and terror for a man to be pulled about, stripped of his clothes and all four limbs savaged over 11 minutes.

"The experience and terror is beyond anyone's comprehension. To say the injuries are life changing is to minimise them, they are that traumatic."

Det Ch Insp Ali Hutchings said: "Vic Franklin is a remarkable man who has shown tremendous courage in spite of the horrific attack he endured."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.