by Keith Hunt

The owner of a dangerous dog that savaged a young girl has been warned he could face a jail sentence.

Ten-year-old Jessica Davies (pictured left) suffered severe cuts to her head when attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross in Rochester.

Owner Christopher Dunn, of Wyatt Place, Rochester, admitted keeping a dangerous dog that caused injury while out of control.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Dunn’s daughter Nancy, aged nine, was playing with Jessica when she took the puppy, called Reg, to a park on June 20 last year.

The pet suddenly attacked the victim, causing a serious wound to the scalp and tissue loss, with scarring under the hairline.

She was referred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for specialist treatment.

Martin Yale, prosecuting, said Dunn at first said he allowed his daughter to take the dog out because it was a puppy. He then backtracked and said he did not let her take the dog out.

Louise Oakley, defending, said the father’s case was he did not know his youngest daughter had taken the pet on the day of the attack.

“The dog was destroyed immediately after the offence with the consent of the defendant, having been advised of the injuries,” said Miss Oakley.

He had been doing some school work with his older daughter Bella, 15, when Nancy ran to the house and told him what had happened.
The puppy had been given to Bella as a Christmas present.

Miss Oakley said the family was on income support, Dunn, 46, having suffered a crush injury to his ankle.

Sentence was adjourned until August 23 to hear further evidence.
Granting conditional bail, Judge Martin Joy told the father: “You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence, which had serious consequences.

“Before sentence is passed the court requires evidence to decide an important matter of fact.”
The judge added: “Custody would appear to be on the cards but all options are open.”