Man, 55, whose German Shepherd ‘attacked and killed walker in row over footpath right of way’ denies manslaughter

NewsUK News A DOG owner has denied manslaughter after his pet mauled a man to death in an alleged row over a right of way. Lee Ellis, 55, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. James was raced to hospital in a critical condition but died shortly after 7pm that night Credit: © YappApp Lee Ellis appeared in court over the horror Credit: Ben Lack Police swooped on a footpath in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on August 15. It followed reports that a man had been bitten by a German Shepherd during an “altercation”. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! James Judge, 55, was rushed to hospital but could not be saved and was declared dead shortly after. Rob Fones, representing Ellis, previously said there was “a verbal altercation in regards to right of way”. The court was told an initial post-mortem had been unable to determine the exact number of dog bites to James but a bite to the back of his right knee had significantly contributed to his death. A German Shepherd dog seized as part of the investigation is being held in police kennels. Ellis has pleaded not guilty Credit: Facebook/@Lee Ellis Police descended on the scene on August 15 Credit: © YappApp James was raced to hospital in a critical condition following the horror but died shortly after 7pm that night. Cops said that two women had stopped to help him after the attack and urged them to get in touch. Most read in The Sun In a previous statement, the force said: “Lee Ellis, aged 55, of Blacker Lane, Calder Grove, Wakefield, has been charged with manslaughter and being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. “He has been remanded in custody to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court later today. “The charges relate to an incident on the old trainline footpath off Blacker Lane on Saturday afternoon. “A German Shepherd dog seized as part of this investigation continues to be held in police kennels. “The family of the 55-year-old man who died are being supported by specially trained officers.” Judge Tom Bayliss KC bailed Ellis until his trial, which is due to start on May 17 at Leeds Crown Court. An inquest into the death was opened and adjourned last week. A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as complications of a right leg wound caused by a dog bite.