logo
Parents of boy, 3, killed by 'aggressive guard dogs' were warned about danger

Parents of boy, 3, killed by 'aggressive guard dogs' were warned about danger

Daily Mirror01-07-2025
Three-year-old Daniel Twigg was mauled to death by two large Mastiff-type dogs who were being used to guard Carr Farm in Rochdale - he entered a pen 'unsupervised'
A toddler was savaged to death by two dogs on a farm after his parents left him "unsupervised" despite them being warned the animals were dangerous.
Three-year-old Daniel Twigg died suffered "severe damage" to his neck and died from his injuries after he endured the savage attack. A court heard how he "suffered massive internal and likely plentiful external bleeding."

Daniel had entered the pen and was pounced on by the two dogs, who weighed around "50kg" each. His parents, Mark Twigg and Joanne Bedford, of Radcliffe, both deny manslaughter and offences under the dangerous dog act. On the first day of their trial, it was said the pair were "well aware" that the animals were aggressive.

Opening the case at Manchester Crown Court, Mr Elvidge KC, prosecuting, said Daniel died after he was able to enter a pen at Carr Farm in Rochdale on May 15, 2022, where he found "two large Mastiff type dogs called Sid and Tiny." A swab of DNA taken from Tiny's muzzle and Sid's nose matched that of Daniel's blood. The dogs were being used on the farm for "breeding and to act as guard dogs, " reports Manchester Evening News.
The jury was told that they would be shown CCTV footage that showed Daniel enter the pen which was "secured with a sliding latch and a Carabiner clip," rather than a secure lock. Elvidge told the jury that Twigg and Bedford had a "long association" with the farm that belonged to a man called Matthew Brown, who was also Daniel's godfather.
He told the court that Twigg was an "odd job man" who worked for Mr Brown. The family had been living on the farm after Mr Brown was remanded to prison after his partner had "complained about him". In an agreement with social services, Mr Brown's partner, her young son and their puppies left the farm and it was agreed that Mr Twigg and Miss Bedford would live on the premises to tend to the animals by "feeding them, watering them and ensuring that their living conditions were acceptable."
The court heard how Twigg and Bedford were in charge of caring for eight or nine "untrained guard dogs" that were "difficult to control". They were of a varying breeds such as a Cane Corso, American Bulldog, German Shepherd, Tibetan Mastiff and a Boerboel.

Mr Elvidge told the court that signs were in place warning visitors about the dogs, one of which told visitors not to exit their vehicle and to "beep their horn or ring" instead, while another said 'beware of the dogs they bite'.
The court heard how the dogs, including Tiny and Sid, lived in an "extremely unclean and impoverished environment, with no clean bedding and surrounded by their own faeces', and that they were "not taken out of this environment for exercise."
The court also heard that the pair had been warned about the risk of Daniel being bitten by the dogs by an RSPCA inspector but they "brushed off that warning." The court also heard that there had been previous instances of one of the dogs biting someone in the past.
Another incident included a cyclist injuring themselves after falling off their bike due to the "aggressive behaviour" of two dogs that were roaming free on the farm.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Caerphilly burglar got into B&Q by climbing through window
Caerphilly burglar got into B&Q by climbing through window

South Wales Argus

time3 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Caerphilly burglar got into B&Q by climbing through window

David Large, aged 42, stole goods worth more than £5,000, including power tools and Ring doorbells, during two break-ins at the DIY outlet in Caerphilly. He used the ladder to climb in on Sunday, September 10, 2023 before returning again nine days later and smashing his way in through a window at the front of the store. Large, a serial burglar who has more than 100 offences to his name, had an accomplice with him on both occasions but that man has never been caught. The defendant, who was caught after leaving his DNA on the ladder, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary. While Large was on bail for these break-ins he committed even more serious offences in Barry. He stole an elderly widow's wedding and engagement rings before boasting to his ex-girlfriend about it just after he'd beaten her up. The defendant broke into the 92-year-old woman's home in the town on the night of Sunday, September 8, 2024, prosecutor Nuhu Gobir told Cardiff Crown Court. Large then smashed his way back into his former partner's home in Barry where he had seriously assaulted her hours before and bragged that he had stolen a £10,000 ring. 'The defendant boasted he had 'robbed an old woman' and was wearing rings in a necklace around his neck,' Mr Gobir added. Large asked his ex to pawn the jewellery for him. As well as the wedding and engagement rings, he had also stolen his victim's 40th wedding anniversary ring. Earlier, he had punched his ex in the face and held a knife to her neck and threatened to slit her throat after he had been drinking gin. The defendant, of Hansen Street, Butetown, Cardiff pleaded guilty to burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. Before sentencing him, Judge Eugene Egan told him of the Barry break-in: 'This was an extremely serious extremely during which you stole sentimental items from a vulnerable and elderly woman who was 92. 'It was a home she had lived in since 1956, way before you were born. 'Just pause and think about the harm you have caused that woman who was married to her beloved husband. Large was jailed for 56 months and will serve half of that sentence in prison before being released on licence. He was also made the subject of a 10-year restraining order not to contact his former partner and will have to pay a victim surcharge.

Debate rages after female cyclist pushed into canal
Debate rages after female cyclist pushed into canal

Wales Online

time11 hours ago

  • Wales Online

Debate rages after female cyclist pushed into canal

Debate rages after female cyclist pushed into canal Thousands of people have reacted to the shocking footage of a female cyclist being pushed into a canal by a man who told her to 'slow down' as she rode past him and his wife on a narrow path The confrontation between Klaudia Mitura and a dog walker (Image: Kennedy News and Media) Public opinion is split following an incident where a female cyclist was shoved off a path and into a canal by a man who told her to 'slow down'. ‌ Klaudia Mitura, 34, was cycling to work as usual when she encountered a couple walking their dog in the opposite direction. Video footage from her bicycle camera shows Klaudia braking in front of the couple, with one of them seemingly yelling at her to 'slow down'. The 34-year-old can be heard objecting about their dog, to which the man responds, 'yeah but you're on a f**king bike'. ‌ The man then labels her 'a f***king idiot', and the video appears to show Klaudia being pushed into the water. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . ‌ Klaudia, who cannot swim, expressed her fear of 'drowning' as her feet were strapped to the bike pedals, making it difficult for her to escape, reports the Manchester Evening News. The mother of two remained in the canal for five minutes until a passer-by noticed her and assisted her out of the water. The police were subsequently called to the scene. Klaudia stated that she believed she could have died from the push, and the couple didn't even glance back to see if she was alright. ‌ The incident sparked thousands of comments and reactions on social media, with some voicing strong views on who they believed was at fault. Klaudia Mitura Lancashirelass66 commented: "The lady on the bike was going way too fast and needed to slow down, maybe the dog was frightened of bikes - what if it had chased you?" ‌ She added: "On the other hand pushing someone into the canal is not the done thing and very irresponsible as in this case the lady couldn't swim and the outcome could have been far worse. At the end of the day it's a public path for everyone to use and a bit of consideration on both sides was needed." RedMist expressed: "His actions were a shocking assault and he definitely needs a visit from the police, but canal paths are for everyone and the video looks like the cyclist was going at some speed, so much so, that she had to break quickly when encountering the walkers and their dog." They concluded: "Slow down! A bit of thought for others and everyone can enjoy these paths safely." ‌ Ancoats blue shared similar sentiments, posting: "His reaction was a bit reckless, she could have drowned if she'd hit her on something in the water. Having said that, they had a large dog, and cyclists should ALWAYS slow down near animals... and especially so on a tight canal pathway." While Hamstersparadise stated: "Far too fast, Klaudia, especially as he has an animal with him. Having said that, pushing someone in a canal is a definite no no." They continued: "They might not be able to swim (as in this case), they might get injured on underwater debris. Just no. And if it was a spur of the moment reaction, he should have checked she was okay." ‌ Sheila Brotherton remarked: "Any normal person would just step aside and let the cyclist past, maybe say a good morning too". Shaw Crafty commented: "Common courtesy to go single file when someone is coming in the opposite direction, whether on a bike or not. Would he have done the same to a walker?". Sarah Horne observed: "The first thing he said was 'slow down' - quite rightly, as she was approaching them far too fast." ‌ Sue Sue noted: "The man was protecting his dog and shouted for her to slow down, which she did when she was a bit too close. She saw them from a from a long way off and should have slowed down sooner as to not scare the dog." Collette Twist concurred, stating: "Cyclist was approaching way to fast. And don't know what cyclist said to dog walkers first." Nevertheless, Collette added: "But no excuse to push her in. All of them seemed ignorant, and inconsiderate". Possibly viewing the cyclist as the victim in this situation, Jason Quarmby suggested: "Bet he wouldn't have the same reaction if it was a bloke". Kerry Eaton wrote: "Why couldn't walkers go single file? Cycling is allowed here". Article continues below Meanwhile, Julie McGeown questioned: "She stops. He stands in the way swears at her then pushes her in. She could have drowned. But it's her fault?". Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are examining the incident, though no arrests have been made at this time.

Man to deny murder of Saudi Arabian student Mohammed Algasim in Cambridge
Man to deny murder of Saudi Arabian student Mohammed Algasim in Cambridge

ITV News

time14 hours ago

  • ITV News

Man to deny murder of Saudi Arabian student Mohammed Algasim in Cambridge

A 21-year-old man charged with murdering a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed in the neck intends to deny the charge, a court heard. Mohammed Algasim, 20, died in Mill Park, a street near the city's main train station, in the early hours of Saturday, in what police had previously called an "unprovoked attack". Chas Corrigan, from Holbrook Road in Cambridge, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday charged with murder, and possession of a knife in a public place. Gavin Burrell, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Algasim was slashed across the neck and bled to death at the scene. Mr Algasim had been on a 10-week placement studying English in Cambridge when he was attacked. A plea hearing was scheduled for 8 September, with a provisional trial date set for 9 February next year. Shahnawaz Khan, defending, told the court Corrigan intended to plead not guilty to murdering Mr Algasim and that he would argue self-defence. In a statement issued through police, Mr Algasim's family said he was a 'young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage'. They added: 'He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others.' EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, previously said it was 'deeply saddened' to confirm one of its adult students had died. A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the floral tributes in Mill Park, said 'may your soul be at peace' and had heart shapes drawn on it. It also said 'inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un', which is an Arabic phrase meaning 'to God we belong and to Him we return'.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store