A MAN bit a huge chunk out of his neighbour's ear after an argument over a dog urinating in his front garden.
Edwin McClean got into an argument with Jeanne Newey and her partner David Bubb after their dog, Bramble, fouled his lawn.
Mrs Newey popped round to McClean's house in Hasbury Road, Bartley Green to discuss the problem, but when she was asked to leave Mr Bubb and another neighbour - Richard Harris - became involved.
There was a scuffle and it was then that Mr Harris had his ear lobe bitten off before it was "spat out" by McClean.
McClean appeared at Birmingham Crown Court charged with wounding with intent, unlawful wounding and assault occasioning ABH.
The 57-year-old denied assault and wounding with intent and also denied a lesser charge of unlawful wounding.
Andrew Wallace, defending, accepted that McClean had bitten the ear but said that it happened in self defence.
The wounding offences related to Mr Harris whilst the assault charge related to an injury to Mr Bubb's finger.
Giving evidence in the case yesterday, Mr Harris said: "It just happened that quick. I just saw Mr McClean just shouting very violently towards Jeanne. Then David came out of the garden and went to the bottom of the pathway and then Mr McClean came flying down the path.
"They were scuffling. I wrestled myself between them and tried pushing them apart.
"Then I heard Hazel (his fiance) say behind me 'He's bitten off your ear' and I just watched him spit it out.
"I put my hand up to my ear and it was very warm and when I looked there was blood all over my shirt. I went to get some tissue and then went back over the road to try to find the piece."
The court heard that Mr Harris had found the missing bit of his lobe and had put it into a cup of ice water. He took it with him to Selly Oak hospital but doctors could not sew it back on.
Mr Wallace said: "I suggest that he bit your ear and you asked him 'Why did you do that?' and he said 'To get you and your friends off me'."
