Girl Has Surgery After Dog Attack

A young girl needed surgery and more than 100 stitches to her face after a vicious dog attack in Derbyshire, it has been reported.

The eight-year-old told the Sheffield Star she was mauled by a Japanese Akita in a Chesterfield flat where the animal was kept.

Shania Bannister told police she was deliberately forced into the flat on Gypsy Lane, Old Whittington, by the dog owner's seven-year-old son.

The victim claims the young boy stood outside during the attack.

Derbyshire's Crown Prosecution Service has decided against taking the matter to court but her family is still campaigning for the dog owner to be prosecuted and wants police to re-open the case.

The girl's aunt Julie Bannister says, this is not the first complaint about the dog and others owned by the family.

Shania's mother Amanda Brushby, 34, of Station Lane, New Whittington, said: "Shania may be healing on the outside, but definitely not on the inside - she is due to start counselling next week because she has been so badly affected.

Derbyshire Police say they have investigated the incident and will take no further action but will look into new complaints involving some of the other dogs.

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Katrina Elsey from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "This is yet another serious dog attack caused by irresponsible ownership of a Dangerous Dog. This girl suffered serious injuries which is likely to result in permanent scarring.

"Some dogs are unpredictable leaving both physical and psychological scars. The law surrounding dog bites is complex and therefore it is important you obtain specialist advice. If you have been attacked or intimidated by a dog in a public place then the dog owner or person in control of the dog at the time may be liable to pay you compensation for personal injury.

"I represent many people who have been attacked by dogs and understand the psychological trauma which can be caused."