Description
A Brampton man whose dog bit a police officer during an arrest attempt has been jailed for that and related offenses.
Henry Taroni, 31, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including being in charge of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control in a private place.
He also admitted affray—threatening violence that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety—two common assaults, and breaching his sex offender registration terms.
The breach occurred between March 13 and May 6, when he failed to report to "suitable accommodation" after prison release and did not inform police of his living arrangements.
All offenses stemmed from a May 6 incident at Moatside in Brampton, where police responded to reports of an altercation involving a man—believed to be Taroni—yelling from a window.
A lone female constable arrived and encountered Taroni with his partner. As the officer approached to handcuff him, the partner intervened by pushing Taroni behind her, creating a brief standoff.
During this, the couple's greyhound attacked, biting the constable twice, including on her leg.
Prosecutors alleged Taroni used the dog as a "weapon," while defense counsel argued at an earlier hearing that the greyhound was nervous and acted to defend its owner in a stressful situation.
The attack had a "profound and lasting effect" on the officer, both personally and professionally. In her statement, she said she is trained for challenging situations but did not expect to be physically assaulted or placed in fear on duty.
Nor did she expect to be "confronted with an aggressive and volatile individual" and obstructed by another, then attacked "not only by an individual but also by a dog, being 'used as a weapon.'"
"I genuinely feared for my safety," she added. The suspect had repeatedly lunged at her in a "frightening situation." She left the flat after the injury and required antibiotics to prevent infection.
Psychologically, the incident replayed in her mind, eroding her confidence with volatile individuals, especially alone. "I have always taken great pride in my role serving the public… this has left me feeling vulnerable."
Taroni received a 34-month jail term and a 10-year dog ownership ban. His partner, sentenced earlier, got four months in jail. The dog received a control order, requiring it to be leashed and muzzled in public.