Overview
- Warwick Crown Court convicted Emma Callaghan of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and imposed a three-month sentence suspended for 18 months, plus 25 rehabilitation days and 250 hours of unpaid work.
- Judge Matthew Walsh described an unprovoked, sudden and vicious attack in which the dog, Junior, grabbed the child’s face, pulled her to the ground and mauled her.
- The victim, now seven, has undergone two facial surgeries with another expected, and the family reports ongoing trauma and disruption to daily life.
- The court heard there had been no previous complaints about Junior, and the judge weighed Callaghan’s mental health difficulties in assessing lesser culpability.
- A further hearing next week will consider a destruction order for Junior and whether Callaghan will be allowed to keep dogs in future.