Post by NIKKIB on Sept 27, 2006 15:40:18 GMT 1
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/5385146.stm
Woman faces jail over dog attack
George underwent plastic surgery after the attack
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Dog destroyed
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.
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.
"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".
Buddy, which Mr Feehily took from an animal shelter, had been assessed as posing no risk to children, he said.
Woman faces jail over dog attack
George underwent plastic surgery after the attack
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Dog destroyed
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.
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.
"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".
Buddy, which Mr Feehily took from an animal shelter, had been assessed as posing no risk to children, he said.