Dent Close dog attack on child- owner broke no housing rules

The girl, aged just seven at the time, was attacked by James Palmer's Rottweiler which bit her face in Dent Close, Dines Green, Worcester.

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A spokesman for Platform Housing, which manages the block of flats where both the girl and the 31-year-old defendant live, says she is 'really sorry' that the attack took place.

NASTY: The injury inflicted upon the little girl by the dog

As previously reported, the girl was outside on the grass when the large animal jumped up and bit her on the face, inflicting an open wound to her lower cheek near the jaw.

The little girl received stitches at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

However, Palmer of Dent Close was not in breach of his tenancy by having the animal at his flat, housing bosses revealed.

GUILTY: Palmer accepted the dog was dangerously out of control when it bit the little girl

The family, who say she is lucky to be alive, expressed concern about the dog being returned to his owner.

The Rottweiler has been in kennels since the attack but the recommendation of a dog liaison officer is for the animal to be destroyed.

Depending on what the court decides, a contingent destruction order could be made instead.

This provides a potential alternative to destruction such as muzzling the dog in public places for example.

Clare Greensall, head of localities at Platform Housing Group said: "We are really sorry to hear about this incident and our thoughts are with the girl and her family.

"The pet section of our tenancy agreement states that customers do not need to request permission from us to have a pet, however in flats, we do restrict the amount to either one cat or one dog.

"In this case, the customer was not breaching any tenancy conditions by having the dog.

"The return of the dog to the owner is a matter for the courts."

Palmer has already admitted being the owner/person in charge of a dangerously out of control dog (a Rottweiler) during the attack on April 11 last year.

Sentencing is adjourned until June 24 to get more information from a dog liaison officer.

If the dog is permitted to live with his owner in Dent Close, the family say they want to be moved by Platform Housing.

"Imagine if it was a person who tried to kill you and you had to carry on living next to them. It was lucky - I feel the hoodie saved her life" said her 35-year-old stepfather.