MARCUS WALSH'S SHOCKING DOG ATTACK IN MERTHYR TYDFIL AND BARRY, SOUTH WALES
| Red Rose Database
Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales Animal Abuser
Marcus Walsh, a resident of Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, has been convicted of a serious dog-related offense following a brutal incident involving his XL bullies. Walsh, born on August 25, 1982, and residing at Plantation Close, Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9LN, was found guilty of being the owner and person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, despite his extensive criminal history and previous bans on dog ownership.
The incident took place on March 20, 2022, in Barry, South Wales, when Rachel Millard was walking her boxer puppy along Coronation Street. As she strolled with her young dog, she noticed two young girls opening the front door of a nearby house. Suddenly, one of the girls was screaming, and within moments, two XL bullies, believed to be bred and sold by Walsh, burst out of the property. The dogs, which had cropped ears on one of them, appeared excited and focused, running directly toward Ms. Millard and her puppy.
Ms. Millard described the dogs as “excited,” noting their intense fixation and apparent intent to attack. She recounted how she instinctively dropped to the ground, wrapping her arms around her puppy to shield it from the aggressive animals. Despite her efforts, one of the dogs managed to seize her puppy, prompting her to shout “No” in an attempt to deter the animals. She screamed for help as the dogs continued their assault, and although bystanders watched, none intervened at that moment.
The attack reportedly lasted approximately seven minutes, during which Ms. Millard struggled to free herself and her puppy. She managed to get up and run, with the dogs in pursuit, until a work colleague called her into her house for safety. The incident left her with multiple injuries, including seven puncture wounds on her left leg, just above the ankle, and superficial cuts on her right index finger. Her puppy sustained superficial scratches and patches of bald fur. Both she and her puppy were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for treatment.
Following the attack, Walsh’s partner contacted Ms. Millard to inquire about her condition. Walsh himself later sent a message apologizing, asking her not to involve the police. His message read: “Hiya love, so sorry this has happened. My daughter feels terrible for opening the door. Please don’t ring the police, I haven’t got the dogs now to stop them from being put down, it breaks my heart and the kids’. If you need help let us know.”
Walsh subsequently visited Ms. Millard’s home, bringing flowers and offering further apologies. During this visit, he expressed concern about his legal situation, revealing that he was on license and banned from owning dogs. He claimed that the dogs had been given away and that contacting the police would be pointless. Walsh later attended a voluntary police interview but chose to make no comment. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to the charge of owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
Walsh’s criminal record is extensive, with 121 previous convictions. Notably, in 2016, he was prosecuted for a similar offense when a dog he owned named Otto injured a person attempting to intervene in a dog attack, resulting in puncture wounds to the individual’s hands and wrists, as well as a cracked rib. This was Walsh’s second prosecution related to Otto, who had previously been involved in an incident that led to Walsh’s imprisonment for eight months in 2015 for affray after he set the dog on a former friend.
Despite being banned from owning dogs until 2023, Walsh openly shared photographs of his two dogs on social media and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale. His ban was in place due to previous offenses, including a 49-month prison sentence for supplying heroin in 2019. At the time of the latest incident, Walsh was still under a five-year disqualification from owning dogs.
During the court proceedings, Victoria Maud, representing Walsh, described him as a “hard-working” roofer who was not present when the dogs escaped from his partner’s house. She argued that the animals acted “out of character” and that the incident was unanticipated. When Judge Daniel Williams inquired about the dogs’ whereabouts, Ms. Maud stated that Walsh believed one of the dogs was being put down, while the other was with a friend in “the Valleys,” and that he was willing to find the address. The judge responded sharply, indicating that Walsh had ample time to do so.
In sentencing, Judge Williams emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting Walsh’s history of convictions and the fact that he had moved the dogs out of reach to prevent their destruction. Walsh was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was disqualified from owning or keeping a dog for ten years, a ban that will expire in October 2033. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing risks posed by Walsh’s actions and his failure to adhere to previous bans and restrictions on dog ownership.
The incident took place on March 20, 2022, in Barry, South Wales, when Rachel Millard was walking her boxer puppy along Coronation Street. As she strolled with her young dog, she noticed two young girls opening the front door of a nearby house. Suddenly, one of the girls was screaming, and within moments, two XL bullies, believed to be bred and sold by Walsh, burst out of the property. The dogs, which had cropped ears on one of them, appeared excited and focused, running directly toward Ms. Millard and her puppy.
Ms. Millard described the dogs as “excited,” noting their intense fixation and apparent intent to attack. She recounted how she instinctively dropped to the ground, wrapping her arms around her puppy to shield it from the aggressive animals. Despite her efforts, one of the dogs managed to seize her puppy, prompting her to shout “No” in an attempt to deter the animals. She screamed for help as the dogs continued their assault, and although bystanders watched, none intervened at that moment.
The attack reportedly lasted approximately seven minutes, during which Ms. Millard struggled to free herself and her puppy. She managed to get up and run, with the dogs in pursuit, until a work colleague called her into her house for safety. The incident left her with multiple injuries, including seven puncture wounds on her left leg, just above the ankle, and superficial cuts on her right index finger. Her puppy sustained superficial scratches and patches of bald fur. Both she and her puppy were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for treatment.
Following the attack, Walsh’s partner contacted Ms. Millard to inquire about her condition. Walsh himself later sent a message apologizing, asking her not to involve the police. His message read: “Hiya love, so sorry this has happened. My daughter feels terrible for opening the door. Please don’t ring the police, I haven’t got the dogs now to stop them from being put down, it breaks my heart and the kids’. If you need help let us know.”
Walsh subsequently visited Ms. Millard’s home, bringing flowers and offering further apologies. During this visit, he expressed concern about his legal situation, revealing that he was on license and banned from owning dogs. He claimed that the dogs had been given away and that contacting the police would be pointless. Walsh later attended a voluntary police interview but chose to make no comment. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to the charge of owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
Walsh’s criminal record is extensive, with 121 previous convictions. Notably, in 2016, he was prosecuted for a similar offense when a dog he owned named Otto injured a person attempting to intervene in a dog attack, resulting in puncture wounds to the individual’s hands and wrists, as well as a cracked rib. This was Walsh’s second prosecution related to Otto, who had previously been involved in an incident that led to Walsh’s imprisonment for eight months in 2015 for affray after he set the dog on a former friend.
Despite being banned from owning dogs until 2023, Walsh openly shared photographs of his two dogs on social media and advertised multiple litters of puppies for sale. His ban was in place due to previous offenses, including a 49-month prison sentence for supplying heroin in 2019. At the time of the latest incident, Walsh was still under a five-year disqualification from owning dogs.
During the court proceedings, Victoria Maud, representing Walsh, described him as a “hard-working” roofer who was not present when the dogs escaped from his partner’s house. She argued that the animals acted “out of character” and that the incident was unanticipated. When Judge Daniel Williams inquired about the dogs’ whereabouts, Ms. Maud stated that Walsh believed one of the dogs was being put down, while the other was with a friend in “the Valleys,” and that he was willing to find the address. The judge responded sharply, indicating that Walsh had ample time to do so.
In sentencing, Judge Williams emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting Walsh’s history of convictions and the fact that he had moved the dogs out of reach to prevent their destruction. Walsh was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was disqualified from owning or keeping a dog for ten years, a ban that will expire in October 2033. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing risks posed by Walsh’s actions and his failure to adhere to previous bans and restrictions on dog ownership.