An influencer sobbed in court while apologising to two people who were bitten by her dog.
Holly Snelgar’s English pitbull Kaiser bit Jennie Lawrenson three times in December 2021. It also bit her partner, Myles Waldron, who tried to save her during the attack on 8 December, 2021 in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Lawrenson went to investigate a disturbance at the Airbnb in Manchester which she had rented to Snelgar and some of her friends.
She and her partner were awoken by noises at 4.30 a.m. as they were staying in an adjacent flat at the time of the incident. After noticing that the door of the Airbnb was open, she spotted it was a ‘mess’ and asked Snelgar and her two friends to leave.
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The 25-year-old influencer from Hampshire watched and was ‘laughing’ when the dog attacked Lawrenson by biting her arm as she stood in the doorway to the flat.
Lawrenson screamed and her partner, Waldron, came to her assistance shouting ‘get that f****** dog off her’.
Waldron was able to get the dog off of his partner but the animal then bit her leg. They attempted to lock the flat from the outside, but the dog escaped and kicked Lawrenson to the floor before biting and scratching her.
The dog also bit Waldron on the thigh.
After the police were called, Snelgar launched a foul-mouthed verbal attack and kicked an officer.
Snelgar told police during an interview that she was ‘blackout’ drunk at the time.
Lawrenson suffered scratches, cuts and bite marks on both arms, her torso, shoulders and legs and was hospitalised for three days. She also has scars as a result of the incident, going on to tell the judge that she and her partner ‘feared for our lives’ and felt ‘terrorised’.
"They allowed the dog to attack me on three separate occasions by not restraining it,” she said in a statement read on her behalf. "I don't understand why they didn't try to stop me being attacked three times.
"She told me during the incident she had the dog to protect her. I'm very lucky that I have a partner that came to my rescue and put himself at risk to save me.
"However I will always feel guilty for putting him in such a dangerous position. It has taken its toll on me and my partner for months following the incident, when talking about the attack I would get upset and cry.
"We have moved out of the area due to no longer feeling safe. After 14 years with no problems renting out my serviced apartments, following the attack I have had to install video cameras.”
Snelgar apologised during Friday’s hearing (28 July) for her ‘drunken and debauched’ behaviour and has begged for forgiveness, Manchester Evening News reports.
Addressing Lawrenson in court, Snelgar said before a judge: "I will never forgive myself for what has happened, but I hope you find somewhere in your heart to accept my apology, I am truly so sorry.
"I still hate myself everyday for what I have put you through. I could not regret this night any more if I tried.”
The judge decided that the dog doesn’t have to be destroyed because it had made ‘considerable progress’ and was no longer a danger. The animal is currently being looked after at a dog’s home.
If the pet is returned to Snelgar, she must keep the animal on a lead in public and attend eight training classes with it.
"I put everybody in danger that night, including my dog,” Snelgar said.
Snelgar has received a two-year community order and was ordered to complete 125 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She must pay Lawrenson £300 in compensation and £200 compensation to Waldron.
Gregory Robinson