Eccentric Jake Mangle-Wurzel has been convicted of having a dog dangerously out of control dog.

Jake, 80, of Peat Ponds, Salendine Nook, failed to appear at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court in Huddersfield.

An unimpressed District Judge Michael Fanning decided that the case, heard under Jake’s real name of John Graye, would go ahead in his absence.

A plea of not guilty was entered to an offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Alison Henderson, who appeared by video link, said Jake’s dog, known as Willy Wurzel, a Staffordshire Cross Bull Terrier, attacked her spaniel Cyrus causing it to squeal in fear.

Jake Mangel-Wurzel and his dog Willy

The incident took place at 11am on December 29 2017 at Heatherleigh recreation grounds, near Jake’s makeshift home.

Although no injuries were reported Mrs Henderson said Willy had one of her dog’s legs in its mouth.

Prosecutor Mr Ben Crosland asked her: “This dog was on top of your dog Cyrus pinning him down. His back right leg was in its mouth.

“That dog repeatedly went to attack and bite Cyrus.

“Seeing what you did, you didn’t believe that this was play-fighting but an attack?”

Mrs Henderson replied: “It was not play-fighting.”

Mr Crosland added: “The dog bit Cyrus over five times. He was squealing in defeat and fear?”

Mrs Henderson said: “Yes, he is not a fighter. He is a little spaniel.”

Kirklees Magistrates court

She added : “I was beside myself and shouting ‘Who’s dog is this?’ My dog was still screaming and it was very stressful.”

The court heard she and her dog managed to escape.

Mr Crosland said: “The dog lost interest and ran towards some children who were in the fields with a sledge.

“The dog was snapping and charging at the children and you saw one of the kids pick up the sledge and use it as a shield?

Mrs Henderson said: “I got my phone out ready to ring 999.”

The court heard a man bravely put himself between the dog and the children and shepherded them away.

Mr Crosland asked her: “Did the dog sustain any injuries?”

Mrs Henderson replied: “It was astonishing. The screaming was fear rather than pain.”

Mr Crosland said: “No puncture wounds?”

Mrs Henderson: “No.”

In police interview Jake said he had had the dog 18 months and claimed “it just wanted to be friendly.”

He said on the day in question he was in his home and “didn’t see anything of this.”

He added: “If I had seen it I would have put a stop to it.”

District Judge Fanning convicted him of the offence and ordered his arrest.

He said: “Mrs Henderson has given evidence that she was walking across these playing fields when she saw him pull up 25 metres from her.

“She walked on and saw it snapping and snarling towards her.

“She saw it biting her dog. It was squealing in submission. This was not a case of play-fighting.

“The dog went to jump over the wall and went to worry two children. The dog was dangerously out of control.”