Dog owner sentenced for attack on boy in playground

The owner of a dog which mauled the face of a five-year-old boy in a park has been given a suspended sentence and banned from keeping a dog for five years.

Dylan Wilcox, 30, was with his American bulldog called Buddy when it attacked the child in Schofield Park playground in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, on 6 November.

Wilcox admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Doncaster Magistrates' Court on 27 April.

He was also ordered to pay the victim £500 in compensation and complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity. Buddy was ordered to be destroyed.

The dog was off its lead when it attacked at the child, injuring his eye, ears and cheeks.

Speaking after the attack, the boy's mother said if the bite had been any lower on his face it would have "killed him on the spot".

She said she and her son saw the dog and its "stance changed", and it ran straight for the boy.

"This big beefy thing just came and took him to the floor," she said.

"I was thinking 'it's going to kill him', it got him by the face and wouldn't let him go and [he] was shouting 'I'm going to die'."

South Yorkshire Police said the boy's mother, along with Wilcox and a member of the public, managed to pull Buddy from him but he required hospital treatment for puncture wounds to his face and ears.

Wilcox, of Churchill Avenue, Maltby, took Buddy and left the scene, but was later spotted by police on Wath Road, where he was arrested and taken to custody, but provided a "no comment" interview throughout.

Buddy was then seized and taken to police kennels.

Insp David Cook, who leads the work on dangerous dogs across South Yorkshire, said: "The lack of Wilcox's responsible actions led to a young boy suffering physical and mental hurt, and a mum experiencing every parent's worst nightmare.

"This incident could have ended very differently and is a stark reminder why we will not tolerate irresponsible ownership across South Yorkshire and every day respond to reports of dogs causing fear and harm in our communities.

"We will take robust action against those who pose a risk. Do your part, keep your dog under control, or you will be held responsible."

Police said on average the force receives five reports of dogs causing fear or injury in South Yorkshire each day.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to educate owners, take enforcement action and seize dogs where necessary.

"We work closely with the Blue Cross and Dog Trust charities, and free behaviour advice and training is available for anyone who has concerns about their dog."

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