An XL Bully dog owner has managed to avoid prison despite her pet attacking a woman and a police officer within a few days.
Kimberly Wood, 23, of Bramblewood, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to two counts relating to being in charge of a dangerous dog.
Wood was given a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Her dog, Rocco, left a neighbour with long-lasting injuries and attacked a police dog handler last July in two separate incidents.
The owner was given a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, at Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday
Google Street View/Getty
After the second incident where the dog harmed the officer, officials attended the scene and destroyed Rocco.
The woman who was bitten and left with “horrendous” injuries, said she now had severe anxiety and distress, which can be triggered by the mention of an XL Bully.
She said she is undergoing weekly therapy sessions to overcome her trauma.
The court heard that Miss Wood had been training Rocco when the incident occurred.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The neighbour said in a witness statement: “Initially, I lost complete movement in my arm for four weeks, followed by limited movement for two months.”
"The attack left permanent scars and a loss of sensation... in my fingers.”
The officer, who had worked as a dog handler for eight years, also gave a witness statement. It read: “The attack has had a significant impact on me, not just personally but also professionally.
“I count myself lucky to walk away with minor injuries. I have a small amount of scarring on my arm.”
It is now a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without a license in England and WalesWiki Commons images/ DlexusThe court heard from Shelly Drew in mitigation that Wood was distraught after the first attack. She came to the woman’s aid straight away and then drove her to the hospital.
Wood then drove to the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre to hand over her dog for assessment. Police then made contact with her, sending a dog handler to investigate.
The dog, who had been tied up in the garden, managed to break free and attack PC Miles.
Alongside the suspended prison sentence, she was ordered to pay £1,370 to the first victim and £300 to PC Miles, totalling £1,670.
