Mother banned from owning dogs after four-year-old mauled at family party
A mother whose four-year-old daughter was mauled by the family's dog after a party went tragically wrong has been banned from owning dogs for five years.
Elaine Clarke, of Hilton Road, Willenhall, was holding a birthday bash for one of her other children at her home on April 4 last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
A happy event suddenly turned into a nightmare in the garden when the family's two-year old Staffordshire terrier clamped his mouth around the head of one of her daughters.
Mother-of-three Clarke, aged 32, was in the house at the time.
Her partner managed to prise the dog's mouth open and remove the girl's head from its grip, the court heard.
The girl was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where she had emergency surgery.
The court was told that she is now awaiting other operations – one of which will take place next month – to replace an area of skin which was lost in the attack.
The dog had been adopted from Rosedene Rescue Centre in Rushall, Walsall.
The court heard that the animal, which has since been destroyed, had never shown any aggression with its previous owners, at the dogs' centre or with Clarke's family, before he attacked the girl.
John Evans, representing Clarke, spoke of her daughter's condition during the hearing.
He said: "She is recovering as well as can be expected."
Addressing Mr Evans, Recorder David Mason QC said: "Obviously she is of good character.
"This is not a custodial case.
"It's just a question of what I do with your client."
He handed her a conditional discharge which will last two years.
He also banned her from owning any dog for the next five years.
By that time, it will be Clarke's and her daughters' decision as to whether they would want to own a dog again, he said.
Mr Evans accepted that Clarke had no defence to the charge.
Clarke pleaded guilty just before a jury was due to be sworn in for the trial.
Mr Mason QC added: "This was obviously a terrible tragedy for you and your daughter and the court's thoughts go out to you and her.
"You could never have anticipated in a million years that this was going to happen, particularly at a birthday party for your daughter.
"You're 32, you've never been in trouble before and I don't expect you will be in trouble again.
"I have looked at you today and you're clearly devastated by what has happened.
"The last thing the court wants to do is to lock you up."
As she was being let out of the dock, he added: "I wish you all the best for the future and I hope your daughter recovers."
