Popular YouTuber Deji Olatunji has been ordered to put his German Shepherd dog down after it caused “very nasty injuries” to an elderly woman who was collecting a parcel from his front porch.
UPDATE – Dec 17 at 2:42 PM
In a new YouTube video, Deji says he plans to appeal the ruling to save Tank’s life. During the video, he claimed that he needed the help of his viewers and family to spread the message. “Together we can save Tank,” he said and insisted that everyone who has ever met the dog has loved him.
Original story below:
The BBC reports that a court heard that an assessment of the animal found he “didn’t come across as a friendly and sociable dog.”
Candy D’Sa, who assessed the dog (named Tank), said that while most dogs accept a muzzle, he “was very frightened with the attempts to muzzle him” and she did not feel comfortable taking him off a leash.
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Not only was the dog ordered to be put down, but Olatunji was fined £2,500 (about $3,280 USD) and his mother was forced to pay the victim £8,000 (around $10,500 USD) after the two admitted to “dangerous dog offenses.”
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Judge David Farrell QC said that the dog bit Deji’s elderly neighbor twice and caused “very nasty injuries.” Additionally, Prosecutor Charles Falk stated that this happened after Deji’s mother “caused the dog to be let out” of their house.
After the first bite, Olatunji tried to get the dog under control. During the skirmish, Tank bit another individual before he was finally restrained. Luckily, the other person suffered no injuries when they were bitten.
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In addition to the compensation and fine, Deji’s mother was also given a 12-month community order and sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work.
Olatunji will have 28 days to appeal the decision to put the dog down.
Deji is well-known on YouTube for being the brother of fellow star KSI. He regularly uploads comedy, pranks and gaming videos. Since joining the platform in 2011, he has amassed nearly 10 million subscribers.
