Dogs clash on bridge in Canterbury

Lucie Marsh's two dogs, a cane corso and a mastiff named Enzo, attacked a German shepherd being walked by Lisa Wood on a bridge in Canterbury, Kent on March 2.

Victim tries to protect her dog

Lisa Wood kicked out at both dogs to try to get them off her German shepherd, which was on a lead. She also pulled her dog away as it was still being attacked.

Marsh grabs victim by hair

Lucie Marsh then grabbed Lisa Wood by the hair with such force that Wood almost fell backwards. Her AirPods were pulled out as she was yanked.

Multiple punches to the face

Marsh pushed and punched Wood in the face multiple times while shouting 'You kicked my dogs'. The assault left Wood with a black eye and scratches.

“You kicked my dogs”

Spitting aggravates the assault

After punching Wood, Marsh spat in her face, with the spit landing on her cheek. The prosecutor noted this aggravated the offence significantly.

Marsh laughs and walks away

CCTV footage showed Marsh laughing and walking away after the attack, leaving Wood injured and traumatised on the bridge.

Victim's injuries and impact

Wood suffered a black eye, scratches, and slight whiplash from being yanked backwards. She had to take four weeks off work as a midwife.

Victim feels scared of own shadow

In her impact statement, Wood said the attack was the first time she felt like a victim and that she is now scared of her own shadow when taking her dog for a walk.

“It was the first time I felt like a victim, and now I am scared of my own shadow when taking my dog for a walk.”

Marsh charged with assault

Lucie Marsh, 25, was charged with assault by beating and being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control. She admitted both offences in court.

Marsh's emotional attachment to dog

The court heard Marsh acquired her mastiff Enzo after the death of her sister, and the dog served as emotional support for her. She was deeply attached to the pet.

Marsh acted to defend her dogs

Magistrates heard that Marsh sprang into action that day to defend her dogs, as they reminded her of her sister. She was said to be deeply regretful and ashamed.

Marsh's childhood trauma

The court also heard that Marsh had suffered significant trauma as a child, which was considered in sentencing. She phoned her mother in tears after the attack.

Therapy and dog training undertaken

Since the incident, Marsh has addressed her behaviour through therapy and undertaken training with Enzo. The dog is now only walked with a lead and muzzle.

Six-month community order imposed

Magistrates placed Marsh on a six-month community order for the assault offence, requiring her to complete 15 rehabilitation sessions.

Fine and compensation ordered

Marsh was fined 50 pounds for having a dog dangerously out of control and ordered to pay 300 pounds compensation to Lisa Wood.

Additional court costs imposed

Magistrates also ordered Marsh to pay a victim surcharge of 115 pounds and 85 pounds in court costs. No destruction order was made on Enzo.

No destruction order for dog

The bench decided not to make a contingent destruction order on Enzo, despite having the power to do so. The dog's emotional significance to Marsh was a factor.