Hero air ambulance pilot used farmer’s shotgun to kill rampaging XL Bully

A hero helicopter pilot shot a rampaging XL bully which savaged a series of people in the countryside. Brave Air Ambulance pilot Jon(corr) Earp (pictured) jumped into action after landing his helicopter on a farm where he was called to the multiple attacks on three victims by the raging dog. Chopper pilot Capt Earp was given a shotgun by a neighbouring farmer - and coolly shot the dog called Ricoh four times before anyone else was injured. A judge commended pilot Capt Earp, 52, for his courage after shooting the 18-month old XL Bully during a "relentless" attack on multiple people. Judge Nicola Jones said the dog was "relentless" in the "sustained" attack - and someone could have died because the police armed response unit was too far away. Judge Jones said Capt Earp would be receiving a Crown Court commendation for his actions on the day. He joined the Wales Air Ambulance Service 12 years ago after surviving lung cancer - and promised he wanted to "make a difference." The judge said: "On that day the police armed response team were so far away that they couldn't come to euthanise that dog. "It took four shots to destroy the dog at the scene. she said. "The first shot had no impact whatsoever - which goes to the ferocity, strength and danger of that animal. Caernarfon Crown Court heard the drama at the farm in Rhoshirwaun, Gwynedd in November 2023 was "triggered" when the farm lanlord blew his horn as he arrived to collect the rent. Dog owner Lisa Grant, 56, admitted being the owner of the XL Bully dangerously out of control. Grant and her partner were tenants on the farm belonging to Gwilym Wyn Roberts who called to collect rent. On his approach, he sounded the horn of his vehicle - which "triggered" the dog. Mr Roberts saw the dog attacking the Grant and her partner. The dog then attacked Mr Roberts - who suffered bite mark injuries to his arm which required hospital treatment. William Griffin, prosecuting, said that shortly before 11.30am on November 17, North Wales Police received reports that multiple individuals had been bitten by a dog at the farm. Mr Roberts' son called for the assistance of an air ambulance. After the air ambulance landed, Capt Earp killed the dog using a shotgun which he had been given by a neighbouring farmer. He then airlifted Grant and her partner to hospital with "serious injuries". In police interview, Grant said that 'Ricoh' had been living at the farm with others dogs with "no issue", but had been "triggered" by the horn of the car. In a victim personal statement, Mr Roberts said the physical scars from the "horrible" attack remain, and said "everyone is lucky to be alive". Amy Edwards, defending, said Grant was remorseful for Mr Roberts having been injured, and is "incredibly grateful" to him and his son for their actions on the day. Miss Edwards said that Grant intervened to try and regain control of the dog during the attack, and suffered serious injuries as a result. She added that there was "no prior knowledge or concerns" regarding the dog's behaviour. Judge Nicola Jones said the dog was "relentless" in the "sustained" attack. She said Mr Earp would be receiving a Crown Court commendation for his actions on the day. The judge said: "Mr Earp recognised that the dog still posed a risk to other people at the scene, including the emergency services, and that if swift action was not taken then the defendant's partner could have lost his life. "It took four shots to destroy the dog at the scene" she said. "The first shot had no impact whatsoever - which goes to the ferocity, strength and danger of that animal. Without his actions, your partner's life would not have been saved. "What he did was incredibly brave and he no doubt saved all parties at the scene from more serious injury, and saved your partner's life." She sentenced Grant, now of Criccieth, to eight months imprisonment - which was suspended for a year. She is also banned from keeping dogs for an indefinite period. WALES NEWS SERVICE — Chopper pilot Capt Earp was given a shotgun by a neighbouring farmer – and coolly shot the canine known as Ricoh 4 occasions earlier than anybody else was injured (Image: Wales Information Service)

An air ambulance pilot has been praised for his bravery after he borrowed a farmer’s shotgun and killed an XL Bully that was attacking folks.

Lisa Grant, 56, admitted being the proprietor of a canine dangerously uncontrolled inflicting damage over the terrifying incident at her remoted house in Gwynedd, North Wales, in November 2023.

Her canine Ricoh, which had by no means been aggressive earlier than, snapped when her landlord Gwilym Wyn Roberts arrived and sounded his automotive horn, and it attacked Mrs Grant, her husband and Mr Roberts.

Caernarfon Crown Court docket heard Mrs Roberts screamed because the animal went for her husband, and he or she suffered an ‘terrible’ wound to her hand whereas attempting to pull the canine off.

She is at the moment awaiting a fourth reconstructive operation on her arm and has not ‘mentally’ been ready to return to her house since.

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Her husband stated his scars haven’t healed. Mr Roberts fortunately escaped with comparatively minor accidents.

Choose Nicola Jones famous it was ‘extraordinarily terrifying’ for Mr Roberts, who had life-threatening and life-changing accidents, whereas his spouse has PTSD and wishes grafts on her arm.

The court docket heard a Wales Air Ambulance was despatched to the scene.

The pilot, Captain Jon Earp, in session with a police inspector, borrowed a shotgun and shot the animal 4 occasions, after the primary apparently had no impact.

Caernarfon-based Wales Air Ambulance pilot Jon Earp, right — The choose stated Wales Air Ambulance pilot Jon Earp (proper) shall be counseled for his bravery (Image: Media Wales)

Choose Jones stated Captain Earp can be formally counseled for his actions.

‘He and the crew and all of the emergency companies have been all put in danger as a result of this canine was dangerously uncontrolled,’ she added.

‘On account of his actions, which have been taking a shotgun from a neighbouring farmer and taking pictures the canine, it took 4 pictures to destroy the canine on the scene – the primary shot had no affect in any respect.’

He acted because of the ‘ferocity, power and hazard of the animal…(and) saved the lifetime of the associate (Mr Grant) and ensured he received the therapy he wanted’, the choose stated.

She stated the canine, which was known as Ricoh, had been ‘relentless’ and Cpt Earp had taken the ‘tough’ resolution to euthanise him as armed police have been too distant on the time.

Mrs Grant was given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 15 days of rehabilitation exercise.

She was additionally banned from preserving animals indefinitely.

Her different canines have been rehomed by the RSPCA, the court docket heard.

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Hero air ambulance pilot used farmer’s shotgun to kill rampaging XL Bully

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