A 61-YEAR-OLD Carlisle man wept as he pleaded to see his two pets again - after he appeared in court charged with being the owner of dangerously out of control dogs.

Geoffrey Greig appeared before the city’s Rickergate magistrates’ court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to two charges.

It relates to an incident on July 8 in which police were called after a member of the public spotted two dogs fighting in the street.

The two dogs had escaped from Greig’s Fusehill Street home, before spilling onto the street.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said: “Police were called by members of the public to Fusehill Street.

“The call related to two large dogs who were fighting.

“They had seen the defendant with injury wounds to his forearms.

“A witness - Miss Jenkins - said she had to get into her vehicle for fear of what they were going to do.”

Neither dogs - which are called Tarrick and Jimmy - were on a lead or wearing a muzzle, the court heard.

Mrs Ward continued: “Mr Greig said they were fighting for alpha status and that he tried to stop them.”

John Smith, defending, said: “He stops the dogs.

“He puts one in a telephone box and puts one in the house.

“He then goes back to the telephone box for the other dog.

“By the time police arrive he has got the dogs back under control.”

It was also noted by Mr Smith that Greig had previously been prosecuted for a dog being out of control.

He said that it was later established that the marks - originally believed to be bite marks - were actually caused by a knife.

However, by this time Greig had already pleaded guilty to the charge of being the owner in charge of a dog dangerously out of control with injury.

In court on Tuesday, Greig begged for a chance to see his two dogs again.

He pleaded to the court with tears in his eyes.

He asked: “Is there any chance I can see them?

“The dogs are with the police.

“I went to Kendal to be near them, but they are not there.”

The court instructed Greig to contact police, reiterating it is not their prerogative to grant him access to his dogs.

The hearing was adjourned to September 16 at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, to allow a report to be conducted aimed at determining whether Greig is a fit and proper dog owner.