A CARLISLE academic with expertise in nursing has admitted being the owner of a dog that caused injury while it was  “dangerously out of control”.

John Campbell, 67, admitted the offence when he appeared at the city’s Rickergate court, which heard that he had immediately intervened as his dog Caesar attacked another dog that belongs to a family friend.

Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.

The incident happened on May 20, 2022, as Campbell was walking his dog in Kingmoor Nature Reserve, near to his Lowry Hill Road home. The owner of the second dog involved, which was called Chuffy,  was a friend of the defendant.

There was previous contact between the dogs for that reason.

Caesar was seen to run towards the other dog and attack it in the neck area, which prompted both owners to intervene in an attempt to stop what was happening.

As the other man did this, trying to prise open Caesar’s mouth, his hand became trapped. He suffered a broken and split index finger and “multiple” bite marks on his hand.

After the incident, police returned Caesar to the defendant “with suitable words of advice.”

Chris Toms, defending, told the court: “Mr Campbell was out walking his dog and the two dogs are apparently known to each other; there has never been any trouble between them before.

“The other man is a friend of the family.

“The defendant’s dog has never shown any aggression before and Mr Campbell is at a loss to explain why this has happened this time around. His dog attacked the other dog.

“It is not entirely clear whether the [owner of the second dog] was bitten or injured from inserting his fingers into Caesar’s mouth. Mr Campbell intervened and also tried to get his dog off.

“He paid the veterinary bills.” Caesar was a dog of mixed breeds, with no element of any "bull terrier" type lineage, added Mr Toms.

Mr Toms said that the defendant was a man of “exemplary character,” and a leading member of the local medical and nursing profession, having trained many nurses in the local area.

“This is his first time in a court and his last,” said the lawyer.

Since the incident, Campbell had ensured his dog when out in public areas was in a harness and muzzled, safety precautions he had already taken. “There has been no other incident of any behaviour like this since,” added Mr Toms.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until July 16, ordering an expert assessment of the dog, which Campbell must pay for.  The report will assess Caesar's temperament and any potential risk posed by the dog.

* Holding a PhD, Dr Campbell is a retired university nurse lecturer who now runs a hugely successful YouTube channel that has more than 3 million subscribers.