A woman who punched a fellow dog walker in the face after their dogs became involved in a fight has been sentenced to a community order at Margate Magistrates’ Court.
Lucie Marsh, 25, grabbed midwife Lisa Wood by the hair, struck her several times and spat in her face during the confrontation on a bridge in Canterbury, Kent.
Ms Wood was left with a black eye, scratches and slight whiplash after being pulled backwards. She was unable to work for four weeks and told the court she was now “scared of my own shadow” when taking her dog out.
The incident began when Marsh’s two dogs ran towards Ms Wood’s German shepherd, which was on a lead. Prosecutor Lucie Fish said one of Marsh’s dogs, a mastiff called Enzo, attacked the German shepherd before the second dog joined in.
Ms Wood kicked out at the dogs to try to free her pet while pulling it away on its lead, the court heard.
Marsh then seized Ms Wood by the hair with such force that she was almost pulled off her feet. Her AirPods were dislodged as she was yanked backwards.
Ms Fish told magistrates that Marsh pushed and punched Ms Wood while shouting: “You kicked my dogs.” She then struck her twice more before spitting on her cheek.
CCTV footage of the attack, which took place on March 2, was shown to the court. It showed Marsh laughing and walking away after the assault.
Ms Wood’s German shepherd was not injured. In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said: “It was the first time I felt like a victim, and now I am scared of my own shadow when taking my dog for a walk.”
She added: “I had to have four weeks off work, and it’s set me back.”
Marsh admitted assault by beating and being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control when she appeared in court in August. She returned to Margate Magistrates’ Court on September 9 for sentence.
The court heard Marsh had a significant attachment to Enzo, having acquired him after the death of her sister. She was said to have acted to defend her dogs because they reminded her of her sister.
Magistrates were told Marsh was deeply regretful and ashamed, and had phoned her mother in tears after the attack. She had since addressed her behaviour through therapy and undertaken training with Enzo, who is now walked only on a lead and wearing a muzzle.
Marsh was given a six-month community order for the assault and must complete 15 rehabilitation sessions. She was also fined £50 for having a dog dangerously out of control and ordered to pay Ms Wood £300 in compensation.
She must pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs. Magistrates decided not to make a contingent destruction order for Enzo.
