Court Hears XL Bully Owner Was ‘Not Bothered’ During Attack on 12-Year-Old Girl

A court has been informed that a man was “not bothered” as his XL bully dog attacked a 12-year-old girl. Justin Allison, 37, from Ebbw Vale, admitted to charges of owning a banned breed, being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control, and possessing a knife. Newport Magistrates’ Court heard details of the dog’s attack on the girl in Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent, in October, as she was exiting a car. The animal reportedly ran towards her “very fast” and was “reaching her in seconds”. Prosecutor Lisa Lewis stated that the dog was “growling” and the girl was “very scared”. The court was told that the dog jumped on the girl’s back and then “latched onto her arm” as she attempted to cover her head, with her father eventually wrestling with the dog. Ms Lewis conveyed the girl’s recollection that the owner appeared but “didn’t come close and wouldn’t do anything” and was “not bothered” about assisting her father. The girl was subsequently taken to hospital and underwent surgery on her arm. Magistrates were presented with images of the “horrific injury”, which showed the bone, tendons, and nerves of the child’s arm visible under a flap of skin. The court also heard that Mr Allison did not possess a licence for the XL bully dog, which was destroyed following the incident. The case has been adjourned for sentencing at Newport Crown Court in January.