A ONE-ARMED dog breeder and a family friend will stand trial later this year over an alleged attack by seven of his American bull dogs.

The dogs are said to have turned on a lone Staffordshire bull terrier being walked by its owner’s father on a patch of scrub land, known as The Scrambles, between Low Pittington and Belmont, near Durham.

During the confrontation, the 63-year-old man walking the Staffy suffered a number of leg and head injuries, while the dog itself was also badly injured.

As a result of police inquiries into the incident, 14 of defendant Stephen Potts’ American bull dogs were impounded by police.

The breeder, assisted by Patricia Ayre, were exercising at least seven of the dogs, at the time, on October 21.

It took place shortly after Mr Potts’ release from hospital where he had his badly mauled right arm amputated, following an attack by two of his own dogs, as he walked them in nearby High Pittington, on September 21.

Mr Potts and Ms Ayre were initially charged with being in charge of dogs which caused serious injury while dangerously out of control, relating to the October 21 incident.

But that was replaced with a new seven count indictment when they returned to court for a plea hearing in the case today (Thursday February 26).

The charges related to each individual dog by name, Buster, Frosty, Tara, Gypsy, Bessie, Blue and Tammy.

Both 48-year-old Mr Potts and Ms Ayre pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all seven charges.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said a trial date in June has already been agreed, with a two-day estimate.

“The issue appears to be that the defendants claim it was the complainant’s dog, Zuma, which was dangerously out of control rather than their dogs.”

Tony Davis, for Mr Potts, said that 14 dogs were seized by police after the incident, including a puppy called Angel.

“It would appear Angel has now been exonerated by its non-appearance on the indictment, and there will now be an application for its return with the other impounded dogs which do not feature on the charges.”

Judge Simon Hickey adjourned the hearing and bailed Mr Potts, of Coronation Crescent, Low Pittington, and Ms Ayre, 66, of Rosedale Close, Sedgefield, to return for the start of the trial, on June 16.

Under the terms of his bail Mr Potts is not allowed to have any dog in his control.

Mr Davis told the previous hearing that Mr Potts' father has agreed to look after his dogs should any of those impounded by police subsequently be released.