‘Every dog has its day’: chihuahua cleared of attacking postwoman

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The owner of an eight inch tall chihuahua expressed his relief and declared that “every dog has its day” after being told he will not face a second “dangerous dog” trial.

John Anslow, 63, was accused of failing to control pet Louie, who was said to have bitten a postwoman on the ankle.

But after two court hearings and a five-day trial at Kingston crown court, at an estimated cost of £30,000, a jury was unable to reach a verdict.

The CPS has now said it was “not in the public interest” to pursue another costly trial. Judge Peter Lodder QC found Mr Anslow not guilty of the offence.

“The prosecution have decided that they do not wish to proceed to a retrial in their matter,” the judge said.

“Therefore I will return a formal verdict of not guilty so far as this trial is concerned.” He added: “I very much hope you don’t come back.”

Mr Anslow, from Wimbledon, was given a restraining order from contacting the postwoman, Amy Ash, or visiting his local Royal Mail sorting office.


He told reporters after the hearing: “Every dog has its day.” It was said Louie, six, bit Ms Ash while off his lead in the town at about 10.45am on March 3 last year, leaving two puncture marks in her ankle.

But Mr Anslow insisted that his pet was a family dog loved by his children. He said there was “no way” Louie had touched Ms Ash’s ankle.

He denied the charge of owning a dangerously out of control dog causing injury in a public place and was formally cleared by the judge. Mr Anslow told the court: “No way did I go within two feet of Amy Ash.

“It didn’t happen … he loves the children in the family, he’s a family dog.”