Beeston man appears in court over alleged XL Bully attack

A dog owner whose suspected 'XL Bully' allegedly bit a man and left him needing hospital treatment has appeared in court in Nottingham. Stephen Clay arrived at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court carrying a dog muzzle before asking the bench not to stop him being allowed to keep pets as part of his bail conditions because he “loves animals”.

The 44-year-old did not enter a plea to being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control and injured a person in High Road, Beeston, on October 9, 2024. But he pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by beating the dog - called Diesel - on August 2, 2024.

He asked for the matter to be sent to Nottingham Crown Court where he will be expected to enter a plea to the more serious charge on November 26. The chair of the bench handed him bail on the condition that he is not to care for, or be in control of, another animal at any time.

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Clay said: “Can I change the bail details, please? I love animals, I tried to save a pigeon the other day and it died on me?”

In a statement released earlier this month, Nottinghamshire Police said: “Officers were called to High Road, Beeston, shortly after 8.45am on Wednesday, October 9, following reports a man had been attacked by a dog. Following inquiries, police arrested a 44-year-old man on Thursday, October 10, at an address in Beeston on suspicion of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.

“Officers also seized a dog, believed to be an XL Bully type, from the address. It remains in secure kennels. The victim, a 26-year-old man, was taken to hospital after suffering injuries to his leg and hand. His injuries are not currently believed to be life-threatening.”

Prosecutor Flo Harper said Diesel is alleged to have lunged at the victim, bitten him to his thigh and hand as he walked past the defendant. She said he underwent surgery at the hospital and is still receiving therapy.

Clay, of High Road, Beeston, was handed bail and will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court on November 26.