Three German Shepherds launch 'pack attack' as woman left needing plastic surgery

A dog owner has been warned she could be jailedafter her three German Shepherd cross dogs launched a savage attack on another woman in a public field.

Sarah Pike, 51, from Exeter, appeared before Exeter Magistrates’ Court, where she admitted being the owner in charge of dogs dangerously out of control that caused injury. The attack happened at Exwick playing fields in December, and left the victim with multiple bite wounds to her hands and fingers. She later required plastic surgery. The prosecutor described it in courtas a “pack attack”, telling magistrates that the three dogs - named Zac, Storm, and Nala - had acted together during the incident.

READ MORE: Liverpool dog attack: Mum's face left 'pouring with blood' after 1am mauling

Pike also pleaded guilty to two additional charges of being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control on the same day. She was told she could face up to six months in custody.

Following the incident, the three dogs were seized by police, and two other dogs - previously in Pike’s care - were euthanised after separate attacks on “other dogs and humans”, the court heard.

District Judge Angela Brereton told the hearing that an expert report would now be prepared to assess the temperament of the dogs. A destruction order may be made depending on the outcome. Pike is due to be sentenced in September.

Last month, a dog latched onto a woman's face in Liverpool and left her needing 20 stitches after what began as a seemingly innocent gesture on a night out. Mum Cody Davies had been out with a friend when she stopped to stroke a dog, which she described as a "pitbull type".

Within seconds, it jumped up and bit her in the face. The 31-year-old said she was left with "blood pouring" from the wound and that she was lucky not to lose her lip following the attack on Mathew Street at 1am on Sunday, June 29.

Cody, from Port Sunlight, was taken to Aintree Hospital from the city centre where she received 20 stitches to her face. Following the attack, the mum urged others to not approach dogs unless they're certain they are safe.

"I feel terrible and I feel so sad. I love my dogs and this dog was just playing with its owner in the street so I went over to stroke it," Cody told the Liverpool Echo.

"When I went over, the woman didn't say anything about not approaching them but when I did, it jumped up and bit my face. I was running around with my hands covering my face and blood pouring from my face.

"No taxis would take me because I was covered in blood and thankfully someone rang an ambulance for me."