A dog owner whose out-of-control XL bully left a 12-year-old with horrific injuries today blamed being a victim of domestic violence for its vicious behaviour.
Just days after the Government announced that the breed will be banned in England and Wales from December 31 following a spate of fatal attacks, Paula Jenkins pleaded guilty over the attack on the schoolboy.
Syed Gardazee was mauled by the powerfully-built pet – named Milo – as he cycled near his home in Oldham on October 22, leaving him with ‘potentially life-changing injuries’.
Hero neighbour Claudia Stoicu, 31, was also attacked after she went to the aid of the stricken youngster.
Syed was rushed to hospital and spent more than three hours in surgery after the XL bully tore into his arms. His family told how they feared their son was dead and wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for their neighbours’ help.
Jenkins, 43, pleaded guilty to two charges of owning a dog dangerously out of control when she appeared at Tameside Magistrates’ Court.
Speaking afterwards, she said she was sorry her dog had attacked two people, but claimed it had been sparked by domestic abuse she had suffered.
‘Of course, I regret what happened,’ she said. ‘But the circumstances behind it were really nasty.
‘Milo has been like a baby to me and I was traumatised when I saw what he did to the boy.
‘He’s never been aggressive before and is normally a happy dog who’s great around children.
‘But I was with an abusive partner for five months and Milo witnessed all that.’
Earlier Tineka O’Mara, prosecuting, told how Syed had ridden past the dog when it ‘latched onto his right arm’.
He attempted to fight it off but ‘pulled him off his bike’, she said, leaving him with ‘serious lacerations’ described as ‘potentially life-changing’.
Members of the public – later joined by Jenkins herself – attempted to get the dog off him using brooms, a car tyre, metal poles and other items, the court heard, but it continued its attack.
When it finally ran off, it set upon Ms Stoicu and dragged her to the ground.
Emily Calman, defending, said Jenkins had suffered domestic abuse and blamed that for the dog’s attack.
‘She feels that the dog has seen the abuse and that’s why he ran out and behaved in that way,’ she said.
Jenkins, of Oldham, will be sentenced later this month.
Speaking after the attack, Syed’s father Ahmad Gardazee, 52, said his neighbours had ‘risked their lives’ to stop the beast from carrying out further damage.
‘People were saying the boy was dead.’ he said.
‘It was traumatic.’
Ms Stoicu’s father Londan added: ‘The dog had hold of him and she tried to get its jaws open.
‘She says that if she hadn’t gone to help the boy would have died because the dog was trying to bite his neck.’
American XL bullies are thought to have been responsible for at least 12 fatal attacks over the past two years.
Rules due to come into force at the end of the year will make it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow them to stray.
Owners will be required to muzzle the dogs and keep them on a lead in public.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
