DAMIAN FIRTH'S SHOCKING DOG ATTACKS IN WARRINGTON: EXPOSED AS BACKYARD BREEDER AND ANIMAL ABUSER

Damien Firth, a backyard dog breeder from Warrington, has been found guilty of allowing a dog under his care to become dangerously out of control, leading to serious injuries and raising concerns about animal welfare practices in the area. Born on November 10, 1987, Firth resides at 3 Granston Close, Callands, Warrington WA5 9RZ, where he operated his breeding business under the name Block Muzzle Bullies.

Firth’s involvement in the breeding and sale of American pocket and XL bullies has come under scrutiny, especially given his history of neglect and illegal practices. Despite being banned from owning or caring for dogs for five years following a previous incident, Firth continued to be involved with canines, which ultimately resulted in a violent attack that drew public and legal attention.

The incident that led to Firth’s conviction occurred on July 4, 2020, when a woman walking her small dog was attacked by Apollo, an American bulldog that Firth was temporarily caring for while its owner, Thomas Nightingale, was incarcerated. The attack happened after Firth left his garden gate unlocked, allowing Apollo to escape and run towards the woman. According to prosecutor Simon Green, Apollo lunged at the woman’s wrist, attempting to reach her small dog, which she was holding in her arms. The woman was thrown to the ground during the struggle, suffering puncture wounds and bruising, and her small dog was also injured with puncture wounds.

Following the attack, Firth quickly retrieved Apollo and took him back into his house without offering any assistance or explanation to the injured woman. The woman sought medical treatment at Warrington Hospital, where she received a tetanus shot and antibiotics. Police officers seized Apollo shortly afterward, discovering that the dog was suffering from an ear infection at the time of the incident.

Further investigations revealed troubling details about Firth’s breeding practices. Many of the dogs sold through his Facebook page displayed cropped ears, a procedure that is illegal in the UK. The police report included a police officer’s assessment of Apollo, describing him as a “friendly and happy dog,” which was used in Firth’s defense during the trial. His legal representative, Gary Schooler, argued that the unlocked gate was a “momentary lapse in concentration” and that Firth acted responsibly by immediately taking Apollo back inside and attempting to assist the victim.

In a separate incident on October 21, 2020, the RSPCA received an anonymous tip about Stella, a German shepherd, who had been attacked in a garden by two pitbull-type dogs. When charity officers arrived at Firth’s address, they found Stella bleeding and in a distressed state. Firth refused to allow the officers to take Stella to the vet, despite her injuries. After police intervention, Stella was taken to a veterinary clinic, where she was found to have multiple wounds and had lost a significant amount of blood.

Firth’s failure to seek veterinary care for Stella was criticized, especially since the injuries were caused by two puppies, which Firth claimed he had treated using his military medical training. The extent of Stella’s injuries was severe, and her condition highlighted Firth’s neglect and irresponsible handling of the situation.

Thomas Nightingale, Apollo’s owner, appeared via videolink from HMP Nottingham to express remorse for the incident. He stated, “I would like to express my remorse over what happened and I am glad the victim did not suffer any long-term injuries. It is not in Apollo’s nature to attack anyone – he is a loving member of the family with no signs of aggression to people or other animals. I will do anything to keep him alive.”

Magistrate Robin Bradshaw sentenced Firth to a five-year ban from owning or caring for dogs and ordered him to complete a 12-month community order, including 10 days of rehabilitation activities and 100 hours of unpaid work. Instead of ordering Apollo’s destruction, the court mandated that the dog must wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead at all times when in public.

While the prosecution requested over £6,000 in kennel fees to be paid by Firth to Cheshire Police, he was only ordered to reimburse less than £300. Firth’s reputation as a backyard breeder is further tarnished by reports that he sells puppies for between £3,000 and £5,000, often without providing proper registration documentation, despite claiming that his dogs are registered with the American Bully Kennel Club. Allegations also suggest that Firth struggles with substance abuse, raising additional concerns about his suitability as a responsible dog owner and breeder.