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Crime Solicitors

Focus on banned dog breeds, after baby dies following pit-bull attack (12 February 2014)

Date: 12/02/2014
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Focus on banned dog breeds, after baby dies following pit-bull attack

The mother of an 11-month-old baby girl and her boyfriend have been arrested, after a pit bull-type dog attacked her sleeping baby and inflicted fatal injuries.

The baby has been named as Ava-Jayne Marie Corless from Emily Street in Blackburn. She was attacked in an upstairs bedroom while her 20-year-old mother and her 26-year-old boyfriend partner were downstairs in the house.

Ava-Jayne was taken to hospital from a house near her home address on Monday night, but doctors were unable to save her.

Police officers have arrested her mother Chloe King and her boyfriend Lee Wright on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect. It is understood Mr Wright is not the baby’s father.

The pit bull-type dog is described as a dangerous breed and has been destroyed.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell said:

“I'm told it's quite a large pit bull-type dog – as part of the investigation we are making enquiries to see whether there have been previous issues with this particular dog.

“This is an absolutely horrific incident in which a baby girl has lost her life.”

The findings of a post-mortem examination are awaited.

A second police officer has now confirmed that the breed involved in the attack was banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

He confirmed that no one else had been injured during the attack, but the baby’s mother and her boyfriend were still being held in custody.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and an Amendment Act in 1997, it is unlawful for the owner of a dog to let it be dangerously out of control in a public place – or in a private place where the dog isn’t allowed to be, such as another person’s property if the dog has, for example, escaped and strayed into a garden or house.

Owners whose dogs cause injury as a result of being out-of-control can be jailed for up to two years and fined.

Dog owners who use their dogs to cause injury to another person intentionally – for example, by training or telling the dog to attack – could be given a 5-year prison sentence if they are found guilty of malicious wounding.

Owners of dogs which are out-of-control can be fined up to £5,000 and jailed for up to six months – and may also be banned from owning a dog in the future.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 also bans certain breeds of dogs in the UK:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasiliero.

It is not only illegal to own a banned dog, but selling or breeding from a banned dog – or abandoning a banned dog or giving one away – are also unlawful.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge, including charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

For urgent criminal law advice or representation, contact Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on the Emergency Hotline number 020 7275 2036.


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