An inquest has opened into the death of James Judge, 55, who died from complications of a leg wound after being bitten by a dog during a dispute over a right of way in Wakefield in August. Local landowner Lee Ellis, 55, has been charged with manslaughter and with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, following an argument in which Mr Judge is alleged to have filmed Ellis and pushed him before Ellis's Alsatian-Australian Huntaway cross bit him. The case is significant as it raises questions about liability for dog attacks arising from confrontations on public footpaths.

Both men reportedly called 999 separately after the incident, with Ellis said to have offered help before being told by an emergency operator to leave the scene; Mr Judge was later found bleeding by members of the public and died in Leeds General Infirmary that evening. Acting senior coroner Oliver Longstaff adjourned the inquest pending criminal proceedings, with Ellis due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 16 September; neighbours described the property as displaying guard dog warning signs and said the dogs were frequently heard barking loudly.