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A convicted murderer has been given an additional prison sentence and a lifetime dog ban after his "out of control" Dutch Shepherd dog scaled an 8ft fence to attack two screaming girls in their own garden.
Ezaan Hussain, 22, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Thapelo Jali, appeared via video link from HMP Leicester to plead guilty to two counts of being the owner of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control. The court heard how the dog, named Zeus, terrorized a family who had just moved into the neighboring property in Normacot, Staffordshire.
The Attack
The court was told that Hussain and his family, who lived in two adjoining homes on Chaplin Road, were aware of Zeus's aggressive behavior. The defendant’s father had reportedly warned the new neighbors that the dog was dangerous and that it would not be safe for their children to be in the garden. Despite this, the neighbors moved in and, after seeing Zeus locked in a kennel on February 16, 2024, they took their two young daughters into their garden.
Prosecutor Siobhan Collins described how a loud bang was heard as Zeus jumped an 8ft fence and landed in the family’s garden. He immediately targeted the youngest child, biting her and leaving her screaming and terrified. The dog then chased the older child. Both girls were left "hysterical" and were taken to the hospital for their injuries. One child sustained a cut to her eyebrow, a bite on her thigh, and three puncture wounds. The other suffered puncture wounds to her back through her thick coat.
In a victim impact statement, the children’s father expressed the family’s trauma, stating, "I should not feel scared to go anywhere in my own house... We are all traumatized and talking about it fills me with anxiety."
The Sentencing
Recorder Robert Smith sentenced Hussain to 14 months in prison for the dog attack, to be served concurrently with his existing life sentence. Citing the defendant’s clear failure to manage the animal, the judge issued a lifetime ban on Hussain owning a dog.
Additionally, the court made a destruction order for Zeus. While the dog's current whereabouts are unknown, Recorder Smith declared that any person in possession of the animal must hand it over to the police for destruction, with failure to comply constituting a criminal offense.
Regarding Hussain's personal background, court records and public statements did not include information about his specific ethnic identity or country of origin. This information was not presented as part of the case details.
