A MOTHER has hit back at rumour mongers who claim her son was responsible for letting out a dog which attacked an 83-year-old man who later died.

Michelle Dixon said her 13-year-old boy did not open a gate which allowed an English Bull Terrier to escape and maul Peter Carter, who later died in hospital.

She said her son Callum Bass was horrified by the attack and is very upset about the gossip.

Mrs Dixon said he witnessed the horrific attack as he walked down the street, but he was in no way responsible for the dog being allowed to roam the area.

David O'Connor, of Newbarn Street, Smithills, pleaded guilty on Friday to owning a dangerous dog and was fined £1,200 and banned from owning a dog for two years by Bolton magistrates.

In his defence, the court was told that a local boy had let the dog out of the garden.

Mrs Dixon, of Merlin Grove, Heaton, said: "I know Callum didn't open it as he was further up the street. I saw him running back screaming.

"He is only 13 and it was bad enough for him to see the attack and hear that Mr Carter had died, he doesn't need to have people pointing the finger as well."

Callum was off school on the day of the attack and was walking down Thompson Road to a friend's house when he heard a noise outside Mr Carter's house. When he went to see what was happening, he witnessed the man rolling on the floor with the dog biting into his head and neck and ran home screaming for his mum to call the police.

He gave a statement to the police.

Weeks later the defendant's solicitor questioned him about whether he opened the gate.

The family of Mr Carter, who died the day after the savage attack took place outside his Thompson Road home last November, are also angry that the 13-year-old Sharples pupil is being blamed.

His daughter Glenys Brookes said: "We are quite happy to believe Callum didn't open the gate.

"I am very annoyed he has been accused. Dog owners are responsible for their own pets and that animal should have been muzzled."

Horror attack:

My boy didn't

let the dog out

A MOTHER has hit back at rumour mongers who claim her son was responsible for letting out a dog which attacked an 83-year-old man who later died.

Michelle Dixon said her 13-year-old boy did not open a gate which allowed an English Bull Terrier to escape and maul Peter Carter, who later died in hospital.

She said her son Callum Bass was horrified by the attack and is very upset about the gossip.

Mrs Dixon said he witnessed the horrific attack as he walked down the street, but he was in no way responsible for the dog being allowed to roam the area.

David O'Connor, of Newbarn Street, Smithills, pleaded guilty on Friday to owning a dangerous dog and was fined £1,200 and banned from owning a dog for two years by Bolton magistrates.

In his defence, the court was told that a local boy had let the dog out of the garden.

Mrs Dixon, of Merlin Grove, Heaton, said: "I know Callum didn't open it as he was further up the street. I saw him running back screaming.

"He is only 13 and it was bad enough for him to see the attack and hear that Mr Carter had died, he doesn't need to have people pointing the finger as well."

Callum was off school on the day of the attack and was walking down Thompson Road to a friend's house when he heard a noise outside Mr Carter's house. When he went to see what was happening, he witnessed the man rolling on the floor with the dog biting into his head and neck and ran home screaming for his mum to call the police.

He gave a statement to the police.

Weeks later the defendant's solicitor questioned him about whether he opened the gate.

The family of Mr Carter, who died the day after the savage attack took place outside his Thompson Road home last November, are also angry that the 13-year-old Sharples pupil is being blamed. His daughter Glenys Brookes said: "We are quite happy to believe Callum didn't open the gate.

"I am very annoyed he has been accused. Dog owners are responsible for their own pets and that animal should have been muzzled."