Woman who went to stroke dog left disfigured after it bit chunk out of her cheek

11 September 2023 , 13:09

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The dog, an Akita, had a known history of aggression and violence (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/500px)

A woman was left permanently disfigured after a dog bit a chunk out of her cheek and she's facing down a £14,000 doctor's bill to try and rectify the damage.

The woman had innocently bent down to pet the dog, a Japanese Akita, putting her face closer to it before she suffered horrific injuries as the animal lunged at her face. The dog, Rico, known for his history of aggression, was responsible for at least two other attacks on people - one occurring earlier the same evening.

The dog's owners, Marta Kmieciak and Jason Singh, faced Leicester Crown Court on Friday, receiving suspended jail sentences for their negligence in allowing the attack to happen. Despite pleas from Kmieciak's barrister for the return of the dog, Deputy Chief Magistrate Tanweer Ikram ruled that Rico should be destroyed.

LeicestershireLive reported that the court learned that the gruesome incident took place in May 2021, with the victim being a lodger staying with the couple. She continues to wear a silicone cover over the wound and has already spent more than £4,000 on treatment in Poland. She now faces a further £10,000 bill for facial surgery.

Adding to Rico's rap sheet, the court heard about two previous attacks. One involved Rico biting one of Kmieciak's female friends on the leg on the same day in May 2021. The other occurred earlier, in November 2020, when Rico was residing at Singh's grandmother's home in Mountcastle Road, Braunstone Town, Leicester.

Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams

Two gates were left open allowing Rico, a dog under the care of Singh, to escape onto the streets. The canine leapt onto a 62-year-old man who was out walking his own dog, biting him on the hand and causing two puncture wounds as the man tried to fend off the attack. Singh, 34, was later arrested after Leicestershire Police officers followed the blood trail back to his grandmother's house.

While still on police bail for this incident, Rico struck again six months later, attacking a woman in a horrifying incident. Prosecutor Jonathan Dunne described the chilling scene: "The complainant bent down believing the dog was relaxed and put her face very near to the dog. The dog bit a lump of her cheek out of her." Dunne revealed that the dog attack had affected the woman "a huge amount" both emotionally and financially.

Since the second attack, the responsibility of the dog has fallen on the shoulders of Leicestershire Police, who have so far spent a staggering £21,251 on kennel costs. Mr Dunne said a dog expert from the force expressed grave concerns, stating they did not believe the dog could ever be rehomed safely.

The court also heard that Singh had previous convictions for public order offences, battery, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage. His accomplice, Kmieciak, 31, had prior convictions for motoring offences.

In a courtroom plea, Lyndsey Knott, the legal representative for Singh of Grosvenor Close, Glen Parva, implored Judge Ikram to consider a suspended sentence for her client. She stated: "He acknowledges that what happened was a terrible, terrible thing and he's tremendously sorry for the pain and suffering that's been caused by his dog. He can be punished but spared immediate custody."

Derek Johashen, acting on behalf of Kmieciak from Wintersdale Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, who has since separated from Singh, made an impassioned appeal for the life of the dog. He said: "She's had the dog as a family pet for years. She is concerned and feels that if the dog was saved from destruction she might be able to care for it and control it." However, the judge ruled that the dog should be destroyed.

The judge noted that both defendants "clearly knew of the dog's disposition" at the time of the attack on the woman. Despite this, he agreed to suspend their jail sentences and instead imposed unpaid work as punishment, along with ordering them to pay compensation to the injured woman.

Kmieciak, unemployed and caring for the couple's two children, was ordered to pay £750 in compensation. Singh, who occasionally works as a bricklayer, was ordered to pay a significantly higher sum of £6,500. Both were sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to spend 20 days with the probation service.

Kmieciak received an 18-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, while Singh was handed a 22-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

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