Sutton St James dog owner fined after her escaped Belgian Malinois dogs left Jack Russell with ‘traumatic’ injuries

A dog owner must pay out more than £700 after two of her Belgian Malinois pets escaped and left a Jack Russell with ‘traumatic’ injuries.

The terrier, named Billy, survived the incident but its owner was left with vets bills totalling £7,183.17, a court was told.

Sutton St James resident Karen Van Tol pleaded guilty to two charges of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control when she appeared before Boston magistrates on Wednesday, July 2.

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson explained how the two larger dogs, named Naomi and Samara, escaped their Chapel Gate home at around 6pm on March 12 as Billy played in his nearby garden.

“I saw two big brown Malinois dogs running along the road,” said Ms Wilson, reading out a statement from the 11-year-old Jack Russell’s owner.

“Billy had his head under the gate and was pulled under the gate onto the road.

“I was in fear of what the two dogs were going to do. I kicked one dog, but it wouldn’t let go. Eventually, it let go.”

The statement described the attack as ‘savage’ and said the Malinois were ‘clearly out of control’.

It continued: “They are not looked after properly and are always barking. They often get out in the neighbourhood.

“This has made me fearful to go out and leave the house in case they get loose again.

“The vet told me Billy is lucky to be alive as his injuries were so traumatic.”

Van Tol inherited six Belgian Malinois dogs following the death of her husband in 2022, magistrates heard.

Ms Wilson told the court of three previous incidents involving the Malinois.

In 2019, a woman was reported injured by another dog from the same property, although she did not support a prosecution. In 2021, another female was reported injured after a dog escaped its tether. Finally, in 2024, police received a report of a dog escaping from the property.

This led to Ms Wilson adding: “There is a concern about her ability to cope with six dogs who are escaping and causing difficulties in the neighbourhood.”

Defending Van Tol, Sacha Alexander said her client was deeply remorseful and “very sad to hear the extent of the injuries”.

“Unfortunately, she found a hole in her fence, which she didn’t know about, which was covered by ivy,” she added.

“She has done extensive work to remove eight feet of ivy and ensure a new fence panel could go in.

“Police have visited and are content with the changes made.

“These two dogs have not been involved in any previous offence.”

Ms Alexander refuted suggestions that the dogs would be a threat to humans, adding that they didn’t turn on Billy’s owner after he kicked one about six times, and that after the incident, another neighbour was able to walk them home.

Magistrates fined Van Tol £467 and ordered her to pay a £187 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

In public, the two Malinois must also wear Baskerville muzzles, remain on short leads and not be walked by anyone under the age of 16.