Man Denies Manslaughter in Fatal Dog Attack After Footpath Dispute
Lee Ellis pleads not guilty to manslaughter and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control following an incident that led to a walker's death.
A 55-year-old man has denied manslaughter following a fatal incident involving his German Shepherd on a footpath in Wakefield, England. Lee Ellis pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to manslaughter and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.
The incident occurred on August 15 on the old train line footpath off Blacker Lane, where James Judge, 55, died. According to court documents, the altercation between Ellis and Judge was over a right of way on the footpath.
Ellis, a self-employed farrier who has resided in the area for 30 years, was granted bail by Judge Tom Bayliss KC. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 17 at Leeds Crown Court, with a further pre-trial hearing set for April 15.
An inquest into Mr. Judge's death, who was unmarried and lived in Horbury, Wakefield, was opened and adjourned. Acting senior coroner Oliver Longstaff stated that Mr. Judge died at Leeds General Infirmary after being taken there following the incident. A post-mortem examination indicated a provisional cause of death as complications from a right leg wound inflicted by a dog bite. It is understood that a bite to the back of the right knee was a direct contributor to his death.
Police were first alerted to the incident around 1:36 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. Officers responding to the scene found a man who had been bitten by a dog. Mr. Judge was transported to the hospital in critical condition and passed away later that evening.
The footpath where the incident occurred follows the route of a disused railway line through a wooded and agricultural area on the edge of Calder Grove and is frequently used by walkers.
The dog involved in the incident was seized by police and taken into their kennels. Detectives from West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have since identified and spoken to two individuals who initially stopped to assist Mr. Judge and direct officers to the scene. Mr. Judge's family is being supported by specially trained officers.