Owner pleads guilty on 'horrific' dog attack

A bull mastiff-type dog carried out an "horrific" attack on an 11-year-old schoolgirl as her terrified classmates looked on, a court heard.

The victim suffered 14cm wounds to her leg when the dog, which was unmuzzled and not on a lead, bit her during a school visit to Bantock Park in Wolverhampton in May.

Wayne Babb, aged 32, of Junction Street, in Netherton, pleaded guilty to allowing the dog to be dangerously out of control when he appeared before city magistrates yesterday.

The court was told how the girl, who cannot be named, was on a school trip to the park when the dog lunged at her. Frightened pupils and teachers were unable to drag it free.

Prosecuting, Miss Rosie Sivia said there were around 70 pupils in the park when the animal approached the children and bit the girl.

She was taken to New Cross Hospital and requiring stitches, has permanent scars and has suffered psychological problems.

Chairman of the bench Geoff Hudson handed drug addict Babb a three-year conditional discharge. He must also pay the victim £750 compensation. The dog was ordered to be destroyed.

In a separate case, Babb was also fined £50 for abstracting £500 of electricity from a house in Trysull Road, Merry Hill, in February 2010. He must also pay a £15 surcharge.