Owner whose XL Bully mauled boy, 12, tells court dog is 'great around children'

02 November 2023 , 18:39

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Paula Jenkins (Image: STEVE ALLEN)

A woman has pleaded guilty after her XL Bully attacked a 12-year-old boy and a hero neighbour... but then said her pet was “great around children”.

Syed Gardazee was mauled as he cycled near his home leaving him with “potentially life-changing injuries”. Claudia Stoicu, 31, was also attacked after she went to the aid of the stricken youngster. Syed was rushed to hospital and spent more than three hours in surgery after the XL bully tore into his arms.

His family told how they feared their son was dead and wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for their neighbours’ help. Paula Jenkins, 43, pleaded guilty to two charges of owning a dog dangerously out of control when she appeared at Tameside Magistrates’ Court. Tineka O’Mara, prosecuting, told how Syed had rode past the XL Bully - called Milo - when it “latched onto his right arm”.

Jenkins outside court (STEVE ALLEN)

Milo, the XL Bully that launched the attack (STEVE ALLEN)

He attempted to fight it off but “it continued to latch on to his arms and pulled him off his bike”, she said. Members of the public attempted to get the dog off him using brooms, a car tyre, metal poles and other items, the court heard, but it continued its attack. Jenkins tried herself to get the animal off Syed, who was left with “serious lacerations” to his arms, before it ran inside a nearby home.

She made attempts to restrain in before it ran off and attacked Ms Stoicu, who was bitten on the breast, torso, legs and arms, after dragging her to the ground. Syed’s exposed “deep flesh” wounds were the most serious and it’s believed he may require further surgery. The injuries were described as “potentially life-changing”.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Emily Calman, defending, said Jenkins had suffered domestic abuse and blamed that for the dog’s attack. She said: “She feels that the dog has seen the abuse and that’s why he ran out and behaved in that way.” Jenkins, of Oldham, will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on November 11.

Outside court she said: “Of course, I regret what happened. But the circumstances behind it were really nasty. Milo has been like a baby to me and I was traumatised when I saw what he did to the boy. He’s never been aggressive before and is normally a happy dog who’s great around children.

“But I was with an abusive partner for five months and Milo witnessed all that. ? ‘My ex was also cruel towards Milo.” Previously, Syed’s dad Ahmad Gardazee, 52, said his neighbours had “risked their lives” to stop the beast from carrying out further damage.

Stephen White