Man fined $200,000 after pitbulls maul jogger in Spanish Town

A St Catherine man whose two pitbull dogs escaped his yard and mauled a man jogging along Brunswick Avenue in Spanish Town was fined $200,000 or 30 days in prison when he appeared in the parish court on Friday.

Paul McLean pleaded guilty to charges under Section 6 of the Dogs (Liability for Attacks) Act, 2020.

The law states that where a dog causes injury in a public place, the owner of the dog commits a criminal offence.

The sentence was handed down by Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle.

The court heard that the maximum fine was $500,000 on each count, noting that the man was attacked by two dogs.

The judge noted that the dogs had escaped from McLean's premises and attacked the complainant, adding that the circumstances would have to be considered in mitigation.

It was also revealed that mediation between the parties had failed after the complainant rejected an offer of $1 million.

McLean's attorney, Romario Adams, told the court that his client had acted in good faith.

However, the judge pointed out that the complainant could seek up to $5 million in damages if he pursued a claim in the Supreme Court.

The facts presented in court are that about 5:30 a.m. on January 14, 2026, the complainant was jogging along Brunswick Avenue when he was attacked by the two pitbulls, which had escaped from McLean's premises.

The dogs mauled the man, biting him on the neck, back and legs.

The incident was reported to the police, and an investigation led to McLean's arrest and subsequent charge.

- Rasbert Turner

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