A hero helicopter pilot shot a crazed XL bully dead which savaged three people in the countryside.
Jon Earp landed his helicopter on a farm where he was called to the multiple attacks on three victims that were ‘seriously injured’ by the rampaging dog.
The chopper pilot was given a shotgun by a neighbouring farmer – and coolly shot the dog called Ricoh four times before anyone else was injured.
The dog was so ferocious it was completely unaffected by the first shot and needed four to be euthanised.
A judge commended Capt Earp, 52, for his courage after shooting the 18-month old XL Bully during the almost deadly attack on multiple people.
Judge Nicola Jones said the dog was ‘relentless’ in the ‘sustained’ attack – and someone could have died because the police armed response unit was too far away.
The judge said he would be receiving a Crown Court commendation for his actions on the day.
He joined the Wales Air Ambulance Service 12 years ago after surviving lung cancer – and promised he wanted to ‘make a difference.’
Jon Earp, a helicopter pilot, shot a crazed XL bully dead which savaged three people in the countryside
The dog was so ferocious it was completely unaffected by the first shot and needed four to be euthanised (file photo)
The judge said: ‘On that day the police armed response team were so far away that they couldn’t come to euthanise that dog.
‘It took four shots to destroy the dog at the scene.
‘The first shot had no impact whatsoever – which goes to the ferocity, strength and danger of that animal.’
Caernarfon Crown Court heard the drama at the farm in Rhoshirwaun, Gwynedd in November 2023 was ‘triggered’ when the landlord blew his horn as he arrived to collect the rent.
Dog owner Lisa Grant, 56, admitted being the owner of the XL Bully dangerously out of control.
Ms Grant and her partner were tenants on the farm belonging to Gwilym Wyn Roberts who called to collect rent.
On his approach, he sounded the horn of his vehicle – which ‘triggered’ the dog.
Mr Roberts saw the dog it’s owner and her partner Roger.
The dog then attacked Mr Roberts – who suffered bite mark injuries to his arm which required hospital treatment.
William Griffin, prosecuting, said that shortly before 11.30am on November 17, North Wales Police received reports that multiple individuals had been bitten by a dog at the farm.
The chopper pilot was given a shotgun by a neighbouring farmer – and coolly shot the dog called Ricoh four times before anyone else was injured
Mr Roberts’ son called for the assistance of an air ambulance.
After the air ambulance landed, Capt Earp killed the dog using a shotgun and then airlifted Grant and her partner to hospital with ‘serious injuries’.
In police interview, Ms Grant said that Ricoh had been living at the farm with others dogs with ‘no issue’, but had been ‘triggered’ by the horn of the car.
Mr Roberts said the physical scars from the ‘horrible’ attack remain, and said ‘everyone is lucky to be alive’.
Amy Edwards, defending, said Ms Grant was remorseful for Mr Roberts having been injured, and is ‘incredibly grateful’ to him and his son for their actions on the day.
Ms Edwards said that Ms Grant intervened to try and regain control of the dog during the attack, and suffered serious injuries as a result.
She added that there was ‘no prior knowledge or concerns’ regarding the dog’s behaviour.
The judge said: ‘Mr Earp recognised that the dog still posed a risk to other people at the scene, including the emergency services, and that if swift action was not taken then the defendant’s partner could have lost his life.
‘It took four shots to destroy the dog at the scene’ she said.
‘The first shot had no impact whatsoever – which goes to the ferocity, strength and danger of that animal. Without his actions, your partner’s life would not have been saved.
‘What he did was incredibly brave and he no doubt saved all parties at the scene from more serious injury, and saved your partner’s life.’
She sentenced Grant, now of Criccieth, to eight months imprisonment – which was suspended for a year. She is also banned from keeping dogs for an indefinite period.
