Man banned from keeping dogs after park attack

A man has been banned from owning a dog for seven years and has had four of his pets taken away after he pleaded guilty to having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.

Leyion Charles-Bain, 64, of Military Road, Northampton, was also given a one-year community order by the town's magistrates.

Police said Charles-Bain had been walking two cane corsos - a large, muscular, mastiff-type breed - on The Racecourse, a park near the town centre, on 6 March 2025 when they had attacked two other dogs.

Sgt Nikki Brooks, of Northamptonshire Police, said the "distressing incident" had a significant impact on a space that should have been "safe for everyone".

Police said one dog owner had suffered a cut thumb as he tried to prise a cane corso's locked jaws from his pet.

He also sustained a slash to his head when he fell to the floor.

Charles-Bain's four dogs were handed over to the police for rehoming.

Brooks said: "The behaviour of Charles-Bain's dogs that day left people injured and understandably shaken."

Charlie Hastie, a Reform UK cabinet member for housing and communities at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Northampton Racecourse is a valued public space that should be safe and welcoming for everyone, and we remain committed to working hand-in-hand with our partners to respond to incidents like this, take action where necessary, and promote responsible dog ownership across our communities."

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