By Ed Holt
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A mother and son have appeared in court following the death of a dog lover was killed by two Rottweilers.
Rachel Walshe, 69 from Netherton in Merseyside, appeared in South Sefton Magistrate Court on Wednesday January 31. In the court, she pleaded guilty to being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.
Her son Brian Walshe, 41, faced the same charge but did not enter any plea.
Marie Stevens, 40, was allegedly bitten on the legs and arms by two dogs in Liverpool, on Friday, August 18 2023.
Magistrates were told that the dog loving Mrs Stevens was given first aid by police after the attack in Netherton. She was then taken by ambulance to hospital where she was treated and later discharged.
Marie Stevens (pictured), 40, was allegedly bitten on the legs and arms by two dogs in Liverpool, on Friday, August 18 2023 and later died on September 3
Mrs Stevens, from Brighton-Le-Sands, was described by friends as a dog lover whose chocolate Labrador was a guest of honour at her marriage ceremony when she wed her husband
The prosecution said the incident happened at 5.45 pm on August 18 when Mrs Steven’s path crossed with the defendants. Gayle McCoubrey, prosecuting, said the dogs attacked Mrs Stevens ‘causing significant injuries’
However, on September 3, emergency services were called to her home in Brighton-le-Sands, Crosby, after reports she had collapsed and died.
Mrs Stevens, who worked in a care home, was described by friends after the tragedy as a dog lover whose chocolate Labrador was a guest of honour at her marriage ceremony when she wed her husband Steve.
Gayle McCoubrey, prosecuting, said that the incident happened at 5.45 pm on August 18.
She said: ‘The victim was walking along Park Lane West, Netherton when her path crossed with the defendants who were walking their Rottweilers, both on leads.
Ms McCoubrey said the dogs attacked her ‘causing significant injuries.’
South Sefton Magistrates Court where Rachel Walshe, 69, pleaded guilty to being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. Her son Brian Walshe, 41, faced the same charge but did not enter any plea
Chairman of the Bench, Christopher Parkinson, said that they declined jurisdiction and Mrs Walshe, who was wearing a dark waterproof jacket and her son, wearing a dark waterproof coat, were both given unconditional bail after the ten-minute hearing.
The case was adjourned pending a further hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on February 28 2024.
Five supporters of the victim were crowded into the public gallery in the small courtroom and a man and woman were present supporting the defendants.
The dogs involved in the incident were seized by police officers and remain in secure kennels.
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