Mother Banned From Owning Dogs for a Decade After French Bulldog Attacks Son
Horrific Dog Attack Shakes Family Home
A mother has been slapped with a 10-year dog ownership ban after a French Bulldog she was babysitting bit her seven-year-old son, leaving him with serious facial injuries. The shocking attack happened at their family home in December, a court heard.
The woman, who remains unnamed to protect her child, appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on March 6. She pleaded guilty to having a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
Young Boy’s Face Severely Injured
Prosecutor Shelina Khudurun told the court the boy had tried to kiss the dog before it suddenly lunged and bit his face. The woman was tidying up when she heard her son’s screams and rushed in to find the bulldog on the sofa with her son bleeding.
The child was rushed to hospital and needed stitches for a deep wound to his face.
Mother Breaks Silence: ‘I Just Wanted My Kids to Be Happy’
“My kids asked for a dog. I don’t work, so we couldn’t afford one. I just wanted my kids to be happy. I’d bend over backwards to make them happy,” she told the court.
“I didn’t know much about dogs, but a friend asked if I could look after hers for a while. I said yes and my kids were so excited. It happened so quickly. If there was a concern, I would have got rid of the dog immediately – my children’s safety comes first, but it never showed any signs of aggression.”
Judge Hands Out Fine and Dog Ban
District Judge Matt Jabbitt fined the mother £250 and ordered her to pay over £500 in kennel fees. The court also heard the dog has since been put down.
Most seriously, the judge banned her from owning or keeping dogs until 2035, enforcing a decade-long ban on dog ownership.
