XL bully owner jailed after her two dogs viciously attack woman and 'rip chunks out of her arm'
Dog welfare expert urges the government to do more after XL Bully attacks
GB NEWS
A 24-year-old woman has been jailed after her two XL bully dogs launched a vicious attack that left a young woman with life-changing injuries in St Helens.
Kelis Smith, of Brook Hall Close, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two counts of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury.
The incident occurred around 11pm on Monday May 15 2023, when the two XL Bully dogs escaped from an unsecured garden onto the street.
The attack lasted approximately seven minutes, during which the victim, a woman in her 20s, was subjected to a horrific ordeal.
The XL bully dogs launched a vicious attack that left a young woman with life-changing injuries (Stock image)
PA
The dogs had been able to get out due to Smith's failure to keep them properly contained in her premises.
The victim sustained severe life-changing injuries to her arms and hands during the prolonged attack.
Neighbours, alerted by the woman's screams, rushed out to help her and contacted emergency services.
Detective Sergeant Ian Harrison later praised the neighbours' intervention, stating: "It was only thanks to the brave actions of neighbours that it wasn't worse."
Kelis Smith, of Brook Hall Close, was sentenced to 12 months in prison
Along with the prison sentence, Smith was banned from owning dogs for two years by the judge.
The court also issued a destruction order for both XL Bully dogs involved in the attack.
The dogs have been held in secure police kennels since the May incident, awaiting the court's decision.
Detective Sergeant Ian Harrison condemned Smith's actions, saying: "Smith failed in her responsibility to keep these dogs in a secure premises, which led to them running out onto the street and attacking a young woman."
He added: "Smith's recklessness resulted in this horrific incident, which lasted around seven minutes and left the victim with life changing injuries to her arms and hands."
The detective warned: "We will act on all information provided on suspected irresponsible dog ownership. Failing to keep your dog under control can lead to the worst outcome imaginable."
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