Girl, five, attacked by neighbour’s doberman 

The parents of a little girl scarred for life in a terrifying dog attack say they are devastated the pet hasn’t been put down.

Kayci Gay was just five when she was bitten around the eye by the doberman in a neighbour’s garden in Newport, Wales. 

Rebecca Hill, 38, was found guilty of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury but allowed to keep her pet.

Now Kayci’s parents Hannah Walsh, 34, and Anthony Gay, 36, say the animal should have been destroyed following the attack in May this year.

Kayci Gay was just five when she was bitten around the eye by the doberman in a neighbour’s garden in Newport, Wales

Kayci's mother Hannah Walsh, 34, says the animal should have been destroyed following the attack in May this year

Kayci’s mother Hannah Walsh, 34, says the animal should have been destroyed following the attack in May this year

A judge at Newport Magistrates Court ordered the dog be muzzled in public places around children under the age of 16.

Hill, from Duffryn in Newport, was given a three-month curfew and ordered to pay £400 compensation and £620 prosecution costs.

The five-year-old needed surgery after the attack

The five-year-old needed surgery after the attack

Hill was allowed to keep her pet and told the dog needed to be muzzled in public places. 

Kayci’s mother Hannah Walsh told MailOnline the five-year-old was playing out the front of their house and had been waiting for her friend – Hill’s daughter – to come out of her house when the dog pounced.

She added: ‘My partner Anthony and I were keeping an eye. Anthony then went out to do the recycling and as he looked to the right, Kayci was approaching their doorstep waiting for their daughter to come out.

‘In a split second, the dog came face-to-face with Kayci. There was no warning whatsoever, it literally went for her face. 

‘Anthony jumped two fences and dragged our daughter away from the dog. God forbid if he wasn’t doing the recycling – there were other children in the garden.

‘The owner of the dog pleaded not guilty, and said Kayci was trespassing and she provoked the dog.

‘But the judge said you can see Kayci is a five year old little girl, she is no trespasser and was playing.

‘Kayci wet herself in shock and we didn’t know the extent of the injuries, it was horrific – she was bleeding so much.

‘We took her in the house and dialled 999 and she was taken to hospital. She stayed overnight and had to have about 12 stitches in her face.

‘No arrests were made at the scene and it took about three weeks to get the owner arrested.’

Kayci's father Anthony said: 'Kayci is now constantly on edge. I've noticed that since the attack Kayci is scared to play outside and scared to leave the house even when I'm with her'

Kayci’s father Anthony said: ‘Kayci is now constantly on edge. I’ve noticed that since the attack Kayci is scared to play outside and scared to leave the house even when I’m with her’

Ms Walsh said her daughter suffered psychological trauma after the attack, and the family have now moved to the opposite end of town, leaving their home of three years because of the trauma it caused Kayci.

DOGS BANNED IN UK 

In the UK, it is against the law to own certain types of dog. 

These include: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro.

It is illegal to sell, breed or give away these dogs and police or council dog wardens can take them away even if it isn’t acting dangerously there hasn’t been a complaint.

Police do not need a warrant to seize the dog.

In 2014 the maximum sentence for anyone whose dog kills a person increased from two to 14 years.

‘Kayci put a blanket over hear head leaving the house. We’ve moved and shes built up her confidence leaving the house, but she was never like that and would mother other children. 

‘Now she has become very insecure, and doesn’t play with other kids. She is having counselling at school.’ 

Kayci’s father Anthony said: ‘Kayci was a beautiful young girl full of life.

‘She is now constantly on edge. I’ve noticed that since the attack Kayci is scared to play outside and scared to leave the house even when I’m with her.’

Ms Walsh added: ‘We are absolutely disgusted with the decision.

‘You can’t justify what that dog did to Kayci. We were told she was extremely lucky that she didn’t lose an eye.

‘I will never forget hearing the screaming from the injuries Kayci was subjected to. We still have a visual reminder of what happened that day.

‘We have moved house to protect our children from harm.’  



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