XL Bully dog launched into aggressive attack on woman after owner gave four word command

The dog jumped up on the woman and bit her arm and chest in a street in Wigan.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Rainey and his girlfriend had began to argue on Windermere Road, Ince, on Sunday, June 11, last year when the victim tried to defuse the situation.

The 26-year-old was sentenced to three years in prison for using his dog "as a weapon" and is banned from owning a dog for five years.

Judge Sarah Johnston said: "I regard the dog as one of your victims as well."

Prosecutor Ellen Shaw said the victim was at home with her niece who received a text message from Rainey asking whether his girlfriend was there.

She told him she was elsewhere, but Rainey didn't believe her.

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The pair drove to meet Rainey's girlfriend, but bumped into her in the street before Rainey also arrived at the scene on foot with his dog.

The court heard there was an "altercation" between Rainey and his girlfriend before he set his dog on the victim.

After returning home, the victim informed police about the incident and received treatment at hospital.

He told police that the dog was "calm and friendly", and that it "would never attack anybody."

Rainey said the defendant had experienced a troubled childhood, and been "targeted and groomed" by crime gangs based in the city.

The XL Bully is currently being looked after at a kennels ahead of a judge decision whether the dog should be destroyed following the attack.

Rainey, of Darlington Street East, Wigan, pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding and being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control and caused injury.