Dog owner spared prison over attack

A Black Country dog owner has avoided jail after her pet "viciously" attacked a woman passing by with her children and left her needing surgery on deep wounds to her hands.

The large bull terrier-type dog escaped from Sarah Billingham's back garden and attacked Majma Bi, who was walking down the street outside with her young children.

Billingham, of Adelaide Street, Brierley Hill, had only tied the family pet up with a piece of frayed rope, Dudley Magistrates Court heard yesterday. The dog will now be destroyed.

The victim was left with five deep cuts to her right palm and a 2in wound on the back of the hand. She also had a number of slashes on her left hand, said Miss Rosie Sivia, prosecuting.

A neighbour had to drag the animal from the victim after it leaped on her and bit her, the court heard.

Billingham, aged 25, was given a 12-month community order and told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. Billingham must pay £2,000 costs.

District Judge Graham Wilkinson said: "It must have been absolutely terrifying for this poor woman and her children. Your dog viciously attacked her and I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done to prevent it being destroyed."

District Judge Wilkinson told Billingham he would not make her pay compensation as he expected the victim to sue her for the July 8 attack. He added: "Many people in this country have a pre-occupation with owning large, powerful dogs as a status symbol."

Billingham was told she would have faced prison but the sentence was reduced due to her "good character".

District Judge Wilkinson said: "You are a law-abiding citizen with no previous convictions. But dogs like this are potentially very dangerous and it is important they are not allowed to escape."

Mr Phillip Haycock, defending, said Billingham had taken the dog in because it was too big for the previous owner to look after. He said it had not been provoked or bred for fighting.

Billingham pleaded guilty to allowing her dog to be out of control in a public place and cause an injury.