Puppy snatched at knife-point in Blackpool as terrified child looked on

The heated scene quickly turned nasty after Jeremy Dyer, who sold the puppy, threatened the new owner with a double-bladed knife in front of his terrified son as they made their way to school on July 6.

Preston Crown Court heard Dyer’s partner, Aimee Durham, who knew the victim, saw the argument from her flat on Bond Street, Blackpool, and became involved, arming herself with a pole.

She snatched the puppy from the man’s van and ran off as the two men argued.

Durham, 24, of Bond Street, admitted stealing a puppy, possessing a weapon, assault and affray, while Dyer, 33, also of Bond Street, admitted possessing a double-bladed circular knife, assault and affray.

Judge Simon Medland QC described the knife as a “disturbing implement which can have no possible reasonable use”.

The court was told Dyer had heard the dog was being left at home during the day. The victim tried to explain that he had left sufficient water and made sure there was enough ventilation in the hot weather.

Prosecuting, David Clarke said: “It was clear the two defendants were intent on taking the dog back. Although the child was present, things started to get out of control.”

He described how Dyer cut himself getting the knife from his trouser pocket, before he “lunged” at the victim, who grabbed a broom from his van to defend himself.

As the child watched from the van, Durham swung a pole at the man, hitting his head. She then stole the puppy, which has never been found.

Dyer, who has 25 convictions for 88 offences, was jailed for eight months. Durham was given a curfew, community order and rehabilitation activity.