Dog owner, 35, appears in court after girl, 6, is mauled in ‘horrific’ dog attack and is left fighting for life
A DOG owner has appeared in court after a six-year-old girl was left fighting for her life when she was mauled by multiple canines.
Emergency services rushed to a residential street in Greater Manchester at 2.40pm on Sunday after reports a schoolgirl had been attacked by dogs.
The six-year-old was found with life-changing injuries and was raced to hospital.
She has had to undergo three surgeries in just five days, but remains in a stable condition.
Bernard Valentine, 35, was charged with eight counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control that caused injury.
He today appeared in the Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
Police said six of the charges relate to Sunday’s “horrific” attack in Carrington.
The two other charges relate to another mauling at the same location in December, where a man in his 20s and his dog were injured.
Valentine pleaded guilty to the charges relating to December incident, and also a charge of possessing cannabis.
He did not enter a pleas for the charges relating to Sunday.
A total of 17 dogs have been seized as part of the police probe into the attack, including four adult dogs and nine puppies.
Detective Inspector Christopher Lowe, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “This was a horrific attack on a young girl which has deeply affected a family and a community.
“The thoughts of the investigation team remain with the family as we move forward and I can assure you that Greater Manchester Police is determined to bring those responsible to justice.”
Three people previously arrested on suspicion of owning a dangerous dog have since been released on bail.