FRANCIS BURTON AND ADRIAN HARCOURT FROM BULKINGTON INVOLVED IN DOG ATTACK ON POLICE OFFICERS

In a serious incident that unfolded in Bulkington, two local residents, Francis Burton and Adrian Harcourt, found themselves at the center of a police confrontation that resulted in injuries and the destruction of a family pet. Burton, born in August 1970 and also known as Francis Warren, along with Harcourt, born around 1972, both reside on Kingsley Crescent in Bulkington, Bedworth, with the postal code CV12 9PL.

On August 30, 2023, police officers arrived at the residence on Kingsley Crescent with the intent of executing an arrest warrant for Burton. The warrant was issued due to her failure to appear in court on charges related to assaulting a police officer and other drug-related offenses. The officers' visit was met with immediate resistance from Burton’s dog, a large Presa Canario named Boss, which was barking aggressively from behind the front door of the property.

Upon arrival, officers encountered Harcourt, who requested that they meet him around the side of the house to avoid the dog. The officers proceeded to the side gate, where they inquired whether the dog was secured. Harcourt assured them that the dog was under control and identified Burton as the owner. However, as the officers mentioned they were looking for Burton, Boss suddenly emerged from the rear of the property and launched an attack on the officers.

According to police reports, Boss charged towards the officers and bit one of them on the right hip, pulling her equipment from her belt and causing bruising. The dog then turned its attention to a second officer, biting his right arm and clamping down for approximately five seconds. This attack resulted in four puncture wounds on each officer, necessitating multiple stitches during immediate hospital treatment.

Harcourt attempted to intervene and manage the situation but was also bitten on his right wrist. Once the dog was finally restrained, the officers left the property and remained nearby to monitor the situation. Shortly afterward, police returned to arrest Burton, who was subsequently taken into custody.

During her police interview, Burton admitted that the dog was hers. She explained that she had taken Boss to two obedience training classes, but these efforts were unsuccessful as she claimed the dog had a 'mind of his own.' Burton also stated that the dog was kept in the kitchen at the time of the incident and must have opened the door himself to escape.

The dog, Boss, was seized by authorities and was later ordered to be destroyed due to the danger it posed. Burton faced charges of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. She was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on May 15, 2024, to a 12-month custodial sentence and was disqualified from owning dogs for ten years.

Harcourt was also prosecuted and received a sentence of 20 days of rehabilitation activities, 80 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £550 in compensation. Additionally, he was required to cover £500 in kennel costs for Boss. Burton’s legal troubles extended beyond this incident, as she was also convicted of assaulting a police officer in Newtown, Wales, and sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

This incident highlights the dangers posed by aggressive dogs and the importance of responsible pet ownership, especially when dealing with large breeds like the Presa Canario. The authorities emphasized the need for owners to maintain control over their animals to prevent such dangerous encounters from occurring in the future.