Home / Crime and Justice / Dog Owner Avoids Jail After Brutal Child Attack
Dog Owner Avoids Jail After Brutal Child Attack
13 Mar
Summary
- Girl, 4, mauled by dog, suffers severe facial disfigurement.
- Owner received suspended sentence and community work.
- Family forced to relocate due to child's trauma.
A four-year-old girl suffered life-altering injuries after being mauled by an American bulldog in Nuneaton on August 6, 2023. The dog, Junior, attacked the child, leaving her with severe facial scarring requiring multiple surgeries. The victim's family has since relocated from the town due to the child's deep psychological trauma and persistent nightmares.
Emma Callaghan, the dog's owner, was found guilty of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog causing injury. Despite the severity of the attack, she was handed a three-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete rehabilitation and community work. A future court date will determine if the animal will be euthanized and if Callaghan can retain dog ownership.
The court heard the attack was unprovoked and vicious, with the dog grabbing the child's face and pulling her to the ground. The girl's mother intervened to stop the assault. The judge acknowledged the victim's significant physical and psychological harm, noting the family's distress and ongoing medical costs.
Callaghan, who has mental health difficulties, was noted to have spent 13 days in custody previously for missing a court appearance. While the judge considered her culpability, he noted a lack of evidence regarding the dog's prior aggressive tendencies. The family has not yet received an apology for the incident.
