THE OWNER of a vicious Japanese Akita that attacked two other dogs has appealed against a jail sentence imposed by Barking Magistrates. Kayleigh Steadman was sentenced to ten weeks in prison at Barking Magistrates Court last Monday and banned from keeping

THE OWNER of a vicious Japanese Akita that attacked two other dogs has appealed against a jail sentence imposed by Barking Magistrates.

Kayleigh Steadman was sentenced to ten weeks in prison at Barking Magistrates Court last Monday and banned from keeping dogs for 15 years, after failing to keep her Akita under control.

She was released from custody later that day pending an appeal.

As reported in the POST, the 23-year-old's Akita savaged resident Kay Conway's Labrador, Brooklyn, in November last year and then Jean Murray's Shitzu in January this year.

Miss Conway and Mrs Murray were walking their dogs in Barking Park when the white Akita attacked, leaving both pets with serious injuries.

It is thought Steadman's dog escaped through a hole in her fence on both occasions.

The owners called the RSPCA who seized the dog in February. Steadman, of Park Avenue, Barking, was later arrested and charged with failing to keep a dangerous dog under control and having caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

A date for the Steadman's appeal at Snaresbrook Crown Court, has not been set.

Miss Conway said she was happy with Steadman's sentence: "It is a victory for us.

"After her dog attacked my Labrador she did nothing to prevent it attacking again. The sentence is deserved. I hope it will be a warning to others who don't keep their dangerous dogs under control.