THE Owner of two Rottweilers, which tore a pet cat to pieces in front of its owners before setting upon a stricken man, has been banned from owning dogs.

Kim Lloyd-de-Lise appeared at Trafford Magistrates Court this week having pleaded guilty to two counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The 57-year-old’s two Rottweilers, Roxy and Marley, went on the rampage in Woodhouse Lane, East Timperley on December 17 last year, after escaping through an unsecured gate at Lloyd-de-Lise’s home in Swalecliff Avenue, Wythenshawe.

Graham and Debra Penson witnessed the dogs tear their pet cat, Blackie, to pieces in their front garden.

After taking refuge inside their house, they then witnessed the animals’ frenzied attack upon neighbour Jason Gaulton and his dog, Molly.

Prosecuting, Subhanur Chowdhury, described how Mr Gaulton picked up Molly with an attacking dog still latched onto her hind legs.

While running away Mr Gaulton slipped, whereupon the Rottweilers set upon him.

Mr Penson was eventually able to help his stricken neighbour scramble to safety through his front door.

“This was a horrific incident. There were significant injuries to Mr Gaulton and to Molly,” said Mr Chowdhury.

“Mr Gaulton suffered puncture wounds, swelling and lacerations to his right hand.”

Mitigating, Stephanie Williams said ‘particularly bad weather’ had blown open the gates at Lloyd-de-Lise’s property.

When he and his partner had realised the dogs were missing, they called the police, posted notices on social media and went in search.

“These are the actions of a responsible dog owner,” said Ms Williams, adding Lloyd-de-Lise was ‘absolutely devastated’ when he heard of the attacks.

“He’s a responsible 57-year-old man. He’s not a young lad with a Staffie, using his dog as a weapon,” she said.

Asked by chair, Tony Breslin, for his feelings of the incident, Lloyd-de-Lise described it as an ‘act of God’, before being warned against further comment after speculating that Mr Gaulton had ‘possibly tried to kick the dog and that’s why it reacted’.

The court heard one Rottweiler, Marley, latterly died in police kennels, for which a post mortem was due.

The court ordered the destruction of the other dog, Roxy.

Lloyd-de-Lise was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, banned from owning dogs for 18 months and ordered to pay a total of £895 in court costs and compensation.