Dog owner fined £1,000 after attack in bar

Posted: December 31, 2015

Posted in: Animal Attacks Head and Brain Injuries Public Place Accidents Restaurant Accidents 

A dog owner from north Wales has been ordered to pay a young girl £1,000 in compensation after his dog attacked her in a bar. The German Pointer had been wandering around inside The Cuckoo Club last August when a nine-year-old girl bent down to stroke it. CCTV footage from inside the bar shows the dog snapping at the girl’s face, leaving her with serious bite marks on her nose.

Owner of the dog, called Katie, 65-year-old David Chapman admitted to owning a dangerously out of control dog that caused injury. Magistrates at Llandudno ordered him to pay the girl £1,000 in compensation for her injuries, and a further £366 for the expenses incurred by the girl’s mother since the accident happened. It was ruled that the dog is no longer allowed to be off the lead in a public place, and must be under control at all times.

Now terrified of dogs

Prosecutor Nia Lloyd said that the accident has had a terrible effect on the young girl. After the incident she was taken immediately to hospital where they treated her wounds, however she now has permanent scarring on her nose. The young girl is now terrified of dogs, and other animals.

Sarah Yates, defending, spoke on behalf of Mr Chapman, stating that he was sincerely sorry for what happened to the young girl. It was heard that he had owned the 12-year-old dog since 2013 and that it had never shown signs of having an aggressive nature.

Awarding compensation, court chairwoman Celia Lewis told Chapman: “This doesn’t reflect the serious nature of the injury. But we have taken into consideration your limited means and ability to pay.”

If you have suffered an dog bite injury, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

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