A MAN from Mill Hill has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after setting his dog on another man.

Jordan Gharib, 19, of Bray Road, Inglis Barracks, set his pit-bull called Bless, on a 20-year-old near Curry Rise.

The victim described how, on April 8 last year, Gharib had removed the dog’s lead and clicked his fingers towards him.

The dog, which police have seized twice before in connection with dangerous dog offences, bit his right thigh and started to shake its head violently.

Eventually Gharib approached and prised the pit bull’s jaws open before running away with the dog.

The victim was treated at Barnet hospital with injuries including three wounds.

Police arrested Gharib on April 22, 2010, and seized the dog, for which the court has since issued a destruction order.

After previously pleading guilty to an offence of grievous bodily harm and an offence under the dangerous dogs act, Gharib was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court.

Detective Constable Mathew Bennett, of Barnet CID, said: “It will be a relief to local residents that they are now free of any future threat from this animal and that Gharib has been punished.

“The growing trend of using status dog as a weapon against others must be stopped.

“Irresponsible owners will be targeted and can face stiff penalties; the courts have the power to order these dogs destroyed and banning future ownership.”