Wealthy castle owner whose out-of-control Labrador bit postman on the bottom faces having his beloved pets destroyed

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... paign=1490" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Robert Hay admitted he failed to keep his black Labrador Doublee under control
Dog previously bruised nose of teenager at wedding at Bickleigh Castle, Devon
The 71-year-old's other dog, Rona, previously bit a postman at the castle
By Dianne Apen-sadler For Mailonline

A wealthy castle owner whose out-of-control dogs bit a postman on the bottom and bruised a teenager's nose faces having his beloved pets destroyed.

Robert Hay, who owns Bickleigh Castle near Tiverton, Devon, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to his black Labrador dogs named Doublee and Rona earlier today.

The 71-year-old admitted that he failed to comply with an order from January 2016 to keep Doublee under proper control after he bruised the nose of a teenage waiter at a wedding ceremony at the castle in 2015.

Doublee was supposed to be muzzled in public areas following the attack on the 15-year-old waiter who needed a rabies jab as a precaution.

At a previous hearing, Exeter Magistrates Court heard that his other dog, Rona, bit Mark Peters and left him with a bruise while he was delivering a newspaper to the castle, parts of which date back to the 11th century on October 17 last year.

He also admitted failing to control Doubleé who 'snapped' at the same delivery man on the previous day.

Barrister Simon Morgan, who represented Mr Hay that day, said the injury to the delivery man was 'not the most serious' although conceded it may have been 'uncomfortable'.

The court also heard that Doublee had previously snapped at a jogger running along the country lane next to the castle.

Yesterday prosecutor Shaun Tipton said the police were seeking destruction orders against both dogs and a banning order against their owner.

He said professional assessments were to be carried out on their behavioural problems before it is ruled they should be put down.

Mr Tipton said rehoming the dogs, particularly Doublee the older Labrador, may cause the animal distress and in both cases only move the problem to another area.

But the court heard from the police that the dogs 'cannot remain at the castle'.

Defence solicitor Peter Seigne would send their expert report to the Crown Prosecution Service so they can respond to its contents about the issue of destroying the dogs and a banning order on Mr Hay.

The case has now been adjourned until next month when the dogs' fate should be decided.

The castle and its grounds, which lie alongside the River Exe, are used to host five-star wedding ceremonies.

Wedding packages for a weekend, during which you have the whole castle to yourself, start at £12,000.

Although parts of the castle date back to the 11th century, the chapel is believed to be even older, possibly being built in the sixth century.

Charles I's queen Henrietta Maria stayed there before fleeing to France during the Civil War. The buildings fell into disrepair before they were restored early in the 20th century.

Previously Mrs Hay said of Doublee: 'Three thousand people have been here and Doublee has never had a single incident like this. When you look at him, he just wouldn't hurt anyone.'

Sadly for Doublee, his victims tell a different story.

Her husband claimed at the time of the wedding incident that his dog had never bitten anyone and believed the animal was facing a death sentence.

He said at the time: 'I think he saw someone coming out of the kitchen and jumped up to see if there was anything for him.

'Unfortunately, that has flagged up when someone got a bruise - it was not a bite. It's a rather unfortunate circumstance. It's essentially a death sentence on our dog.'