Owner ‘not bothered’ after XL bully viciously mauled schoolgirl, 12, in ‘horrific’ attack
An XL bully dog owner was left “not bothered” after his dog caused “horrific” injuries to a young girl in Nantyglo, Wales.
Justin Allison, 37, from Ebbw Vale, has admitted multiple criminal offences following the October attack, including being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
Newport Magistrates’ Court was told how the unleashed dog, Rocco, charged at the 12-year-old girl at high speed before launching a vicious assault that left her requiring surgery.
The incident occurred as the victim was walking with her father, who was forced to wrestle with the aggressive animal.
“She saw a dog running very fast towards her and it reached her in seconds,” prosecutor Lisa Lewis told the court.
“As it got closer it began growling at her and she felt very scared and turned to run to her dad.”
The off-lead dog jumped on the girl’s back as she attempted to protect her head.
Rocco then latched onto her arm for several seconds before her father intervened.
“The next thing she could remember was her dad on top of the dog, wrestling it,” Ms Lewis said.
The terrified girl walked into the middle of the road screaming for help.
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When Allison finally appeared at the scene, he showed little concern for the situation.
“She described him as not being bothered to help her dad while she was shouting in the middle of the road,” Ms Lewis told the court.
The owner merely stated he would be at his nearby home if needed, offering no assistance whatsoever.
The girl was rushed to the Grange Hospital where she underwent surgery to repair damaged tendons in her arm.
The court was shown images of the “horrific injury” where bone was exposed, with the victim also suffering severe cuts to her back.
While she is healing well physically, the psychological impact remains unclear.
It emerged that Allison did not possess the required exemption certificate to legally own an XL Bully, which is now a prohibited breed in Wales and England.
The dog was subsequently surrendered and destroyed following the attack.
During a police search of Allison’s home, officers discovered a prohibited butterfly knife.
Allison has pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury, possessing a dangerous dog, and possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.
He will face sentencing for these charges at Newport Crown Court in January.