Veteran shocked by owner's sentence after stopping XL bully attack

Martin Griffiths, a former soldier and kickboxing instructor, intervened to stop a violent dog attack in Wrexham city centre, but has called the owner's punishment "absurd".

The 41-year-old, standing 6ft 5in (1.95m), managed to restrain the dog until police arrived, preventing further harm. The victim, Yasmin Begum, suffered bite marks on her forehead and had her hijab pulled off during the assault last August.

Last week, Tomasz Wegner, 45, from Acrefair, admitted to owning a dog dangerously out of control, resulting in injury. He received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Mr Griffiths recounted being at a caf with his children when he heard shouting and horn honking outside. Fearing a serious incident, he ran outside to find a woman being dragged by a large, stocky, silver-brown dog. When the dog's muzzle slipped, he feared the situation could worsen.

He said the dog lunged at him as he approached, but he avoided it and then grabbed the animal to protect the woman. "I kept hold and calmed it down," he said, also managing to reattach the dog's muzzle.

The court heard that Ms Begum had tried to avoid Wegner and his dog but was cornered. Wegner followed her and yelled aggressively, while the dog attacked her. Witnesses noted Wegner appeared intoxicated, and the incident left the victim traumatized, with her children witnessing the attack.

In a statement, Ms Begum described the fear she and her children experienced and blamed Wegner's actions for provoking the dog. The defence claimed the dog had never bitten anyone before and that Wegner thought it was a Cane Corso, not an XL bully. They also noted Wegner is now addressing his alcoholism.

Judge Simon Mills suspended Wegners 15-month sentence for two years and banned him from owning dogs for the same period. The XL bully was ordered to be destroyed. XL bully ownership in Wales and England has been heavily restricted since February 2024, requiring secure housing, neutering, muzzling, and leads in public.

Mr Griffiths downplayed social media praise, saying, "I just did what I believe anyone would have done. No one should be attacked like that. It's shocking."

Author: Logan Reeves