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Woman faces jail over dog attack | Woman faces jail over dog attack |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A woman in charge of a dog which attacked a boy leaving him needing 200 stitches in his face has been warned she could face a lengthy jail term. | A woman in charge of a dog which attacked a boy leaving him needing 200 stitches in his face has been warned she could face a lengthy jail term. |
George Brown, four, from Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire, was savaged by the American bulldog on 14 August. | George Brown, four, from Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire, was savaged by the American bulldog on 14 August. |
Toni Badcock, 30, from Huntingdon, pleaded guilty at the town magistrates' court to four counts of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog. | |
Her partner and the dog's owner Michael Feehily, 38, denied the same charges. | Her partner and the dog's owner Michael Feehily, 38, denied the same charges. |
He was released on unconditional bail to appear before magistrates on 25 October. | He was released on unconditional bail to appear before magistrates on 25 October. |
We are extremely concerned that from the first incident nothing was done to put the matter right Magistrate Celia Chignell | We are extremely concerned that from the first incident nothing was done to put the matter right Magistrate Celia Chignell |
The court heard George's ordeal was his second with the dog, Buddy, and neighbours had earlier appealed to Mr Feehily to improve security at his home on Norfolk Road. | The court heard George's ordeal was his second with the dog, Buddy, and neighbours had earlier appealed to Mr Feehily to improve security at his home on Norfolk Road. |
In an earlier incident, the dog had charged into the play area opposite Mr Feehily's house, knocking screaming and panicking children to the ground, the court heard. | In an earlier incident, the dog had charged into the play area opposite Mr Feehily's house, knocking screaming and panicking children to the ground, the court heard. |
A boy of seven needed hospital treatment for a bruised eye and elbow while George suffered grazes and scratches. | A boy of seven needed hospital treatment for a bruised eye and elbow while George suffered grazes and scratches. |
In the more serious attack, George was knocked over and dragged along the ground when it bit his foot. | In the more serious attack, George was knocked over and dragged along the ground when it bit his foot. |
Dog destroyed | Dog destroyed |
It then bit into the right side of the youngster's face as Badcock tried to drag the dog away. | It then bit into the right side of the youngster's face as Badcock tried to drag the dog away. |
The dog was put down after the attack. | The dog was put down after the attack. |
Magistrate Celia Chignell adjourned sentencing to Peterborough Crown Court, saying her powers to jail Badcock for up to 12 months were not enough. | Magistrate Celia Chignell adjourned sentencing to Peterborough Crown Court, saying her powers to jail Badcock for up to 12 months were not enough. |
She said: "This was a dog which was large, extremely strong and it called for extra precautions and supervision, especially as there was a children's play area directly outside the house where this dog lived. | She said: "This was a dog which was large, extremely strong and it called for extra precautions and supervision, especially as there was a children's play area directly outside the house where this dog lived. |
"We are extremely concerned that from the first incident nothing was done to put the matter right." | "We are extremely concerned that from the first incident nothing was done to put the matter right." |
David Potter, for Badcock, said she wanted to pass on her "sincere apologies to all three children and their families for what happened". | David Potter, for Badcock, said she wanted to pass on her "sincere apologies to all three children and their families for what happened". |
Buddy, which Mr Feehily took from an animal shelter, had been assessed as posing no risk to children, he said. | Buddy, which Mr Feehily took from an animal shelter, had been assessed as posing no risk to children, he said. |
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