Signature Living boss ‘absolutely delighted' police have spared dog

The boss of hotel firm Signature Living has said he is "absolutely delighted" that police listened to his pleas and spared the life of a German Shepherd which bit him during an altercation with the dog's owner at a derelict building the company wish to take over.

Lawrence Kenwright was filming at the site of the abandoned North Wales Hospital (known locally as the Denbigh Asylum), when he was confronted by Elwyn Pierce, described as a "self-appointed caretaker" of the building.

As Kenwright attempted to explain why his firm, one of two companies bidding to develop the site, should be the one to take the project on, Pierce told him he shouldn't be in the property and asked who gave them permission to be there.

Kenwright replied that he had permission from Denbigh County Council and told Pierce several times "don't be aggressive".

The altercation culminated in Pierce letting his dog, called Kaiser, out of his car. Despite Pierce holding on to the dog's collar, it bit Kenwright on the finger.

The video, originally shared by the Denbigh Matters Facebook group, has been viewed hundreds of times.

Kenwright today said he has accepted an "unreserved apology" from Pierce and reported that North Wales Police have decided to take no further action.

In a statement he said Pierce had agreed to no longer act as an unofficial caretaker for the site.

Kenwright said: "I accept the apology from Mr Pierce for his actions taken on that day. I agree with the response and actions taken by North Wales Police against Mr Pierce, which are proportionate and reasonable and which will hopefully avoid any situation like this ever happening again.

"More importantly, I am absolutely delighted and relieved that Mr Pierce's dog, Kaiser, will be saved from being put to sleep as a result of the attack given how serious these matters are now treated. I am very pleased that North Wales Police have put the welfare of the dog first and foremost in this situation. As an animal lover myself, I pleaded for Kaiser to be saved; the dog was in no way to blame for this incident. Thankfully North Wales Police have made a good judgement all round on this situation and I am very pleased with the outcome and I would like to thank them for their time."

Video: Signature Living boss bitten by dog on hotel development site>>

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