A HEART-BROKEN couple whose beloved pet was ripped to shreds and killed by two larger dogs have finally been given justice for the vicious attack after the matter was taken to court.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Carol Rogers watched in horror with her five-year-old grandson as her beloved 18-month-old smooth haired fox terrier, Magic, was mauled to death by two Staffordshire type dogs on October 24 last year, in Kenilworth Road, Winklebury.

The 61-year-old needed counselling following the incident, which has resulted in her suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by terrifying flashbacks.

The grandmother and her husband, Neville, fought for the owners of the dogs to be taken to court, to seek justice for Magic and ensure no one else should have to go through the same horror.

But Hampshire Constabulary refused to press charges because a person had not been injured, and instead drew up an “acceptable behaviour contract” with the owners.

Carol and Neville refused to accept this and made a complaint to the then Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), and the matter was eventually taken to court.

Last week, Gemma Sharman appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court charged with being in charge of dogs which were dangerously out of control.

The 36-year-old, of Kenilworth Road, pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered by magistrates to fit her dogs, Mollie and Reggie, with a muzzle to prevent them from biting anyone.

If the order is broken and the dogs attack again, then they will be destroyed.

She was also fined £140 and ordered to pay £600 compensation.

Mr Rogers, 62, of Kenilworth Road, said the order will make owning the dogs a “nightmare”, adding: “These conditions will suck out all the enjoyment of owning a dog.”

His wife said the incident highlights problems with the Dangerous Dogs Act, which refers to people being physically injured, but not animals.

It also does not specifically refer to mental injuries caused by witnessing an attack, such as PTSD.

The couple now plan to campaign to change the act to protect dogs being harmed by other dogs.

Carol said: “The problem is it only looks at the harm that’s caused to humans at the time of the attack and only physical harm to humans. I have PTSD and it’s not easy.

The law needs to also protect animals. This was a vicious attack and I have no confidence that the law will be able to do anymore for anyone else who goes through the same as we did.

“If a human had been bitten the outcome would have been quicker but because it was a dog and because I wasn’t physically injured the law didn’t protect us. We aren’t protecting our dogs.”

She and Neville now plan to launch a petition with the hope of changing the law.

Carol said: “The dogs who attacked Magic, although horrendously vicious, it wasn’t their fault. The duty of care come down to the owners and the law needs to ensure owners act responsibly.”

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “The complaint [to the then IPCC], made by the owners of the attacked dog, was not aimed at one particular officer but the outcome of the investigation.

“The then IPCC referred the complaint back to Hampshire Constabulary.

“Following a review, two people, a 36-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man, both from Basingstoke, were summonsed to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on 13 March, each for an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act.”