Girl’s parents were assured by the owner that the dog was safe to touch
The story of how a four-year-old dog attack victim has been ‘scarred for life’ has been widely reported in the British media.
James McNally, better known simply as ‘the dog bite solicitor’, is representing the family of the little girl. He told the press:
“This was an awful incident that has left a young girl with serious facial injuries. She is likely to need surgery as she grows so could be facing remedial surgery in her teens and maybe even beyond.
“The exasperating thing is that this is an injury that could so easily have been prevented had the dog been muzzled or kept away from small children. All dog owners need to understand that their dog can cause injuries. These dogs are causing nasty injuries, but people don’t believe that their dog, their ‘family member’, could be responsible.”
The girl required stitches to her cheek after being bitten on her face by a terrier while she was playing at a park near her home.
Police were powerless to seize the dog, as the breed isn’t legally prohibited in the UK. The owner has simply been issued with a caution.
The victim’s mother is understandably incensed by what occurred. “This little terrier has come along and tried to take her face off. It’s just not good enough.”
“There’s no justice for my daughter there. I’ll remember that incident forever and to me, it feels like the dog’s got away with it.
“She could have permanent scars on her face. Even having to look at her and see her face, it just keeps reminding me of it.”
“It is understood that the dog which bit the girl is usually muzzled. Its owner nevertheless assured the girl’s mother that it would be ‘fine’ to touch. However, as she bent down to stroke the dog it grabbed her face.”
The family of the injured girl put up posters around their neighbourhood as a warning to others about the animal, but these posters have been torn down.
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