Dad-of-two breaks down in tears in court after 'man killed in Wakefield dog attack'

A man cried in court today after being charged with manslaughter. Lee Ellis, 55, is accused of killing James Judge, also 55, who allegedly died after being attacked by a dog.

The alleged incident happened on Blacker Lane, Calder Grove, Wakefield, on Saturday, August 15. Today, Ellis appeared before District Judge Mark Daley at Bradford Magistrates court. The charge alleges that Ellis unlawfully killed Mr Judge. He is also accused of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury resulting in death.

The animal involved was described in court as an Alsatian cross. West Yorkshire Police had previously identified the dog seized during its investigation as a German Shepherd.

Ellis, a self-employed farrier of Blacker Lane, was given tissues in court as he sat crying.

Police received calls from 1.36pm on Saturday reporting an altercation which had taken place a short time earlier on the old trainline footpath off Blacker Lane. Officers said a man had been bitten by a dog during the incident.

Mr Judge was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after 7pm that evening. The dog understood by police to have been involved was seized following the incident and remains in police kennels.

Ellis was granted bail on condition that he continues to live at his Blacker Lane address. He is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on September 16.