£2,000 payout after dog left friend in wheelchair
Posted: May 8, 2015
Posted in: Animal Attacks Leg Injuries
A mother-of-three has been ordered to pay her friend £2,000 in compensation after her American bull dog attacked her and left her with life-changing injuries. 37-year-old Vicki Young from Port Tennant pleaded guilty to owning a dangerously out of control dog that caused injury at Swansea’s Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
The attack happened in February when Mrs Young’s friend had visited their family home to discuss buying one of a litter of puppies. One of Mrs Young’s dogs, Chunk, managed to escape from the living room and grabbed onto Ms Lannen’s left calf. Eventually Mrs Young managed to free the dog from her leg, but the severe injuries resulted in Ms Lannen suffering subsequent infection.
“this is not an animal that can be trusted”
The infection in Ms Lannen’s leg meant that she was unable to leave her house without a wheelchair, and had to use a zimmer frame when at home. It was also heard in court that due to the severity of the injuries, a skin graft might not work, which will leave Ms Lannen with major scarring for the rest of her life.
Sentencing, District Judge Richard Williams said: “You have children in this household … Imagine if it was one of them — this is not an animal that can be trusted.” The dog was destroyed following the attack.
Mrs Young was ordered to serve 12 months community order, which involves 160 hours of unpaid work. She also paid Ms Lannen £2,000 in compensation for her injuries.
If you have suffered an animal-related injury, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.
« Father released from hospital “too soon” commits suicide
Hospital criticised over food hygiene »
