Woman jailed following XL Bully dog attack on passer-by

A woman has been incarcerated after her XL Bully dogs mauled a passer-by in a seven-minute attack. Kelis Smith, 24, of Brock Hall Close in St Helens, admitted to two charges of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury, stemming from the May 2023 incident. Merseyside Police stated that Smith’s two dogs escaped from her unsecure garden before assaulting a woman in her 20s who was on the street. Smith had previously been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 12 months in prison and received a two-year prohibition from owning dogs. Police also confirmed that the judge issued a “destruction order” for the two dogs, which had been kept in police kennels since the event. Authorities reported that neighbours swiftly came to assist after hearing the victim’s screams. The woman sustained injuries to her arms and hands that were described as life-changing. Detective Sergeant Ian Harrison commented: “It was only thanks to the brave actions of neighbours that it wasn’t worse.” He further added, “We can only hope that this case gives a stark warning to dog owners about keeping animals under control.”