Schoolgirl, 11, mauled by vicious XL Bully left 'bleeding like tap' after horror dog attack

A child who was left "bleeding like a tap" after she was mauled by an XL Bully says she is too scared to go outside since the nightmare attack.

Darren Yates, 52, from Daubhill, Bolton, was walking his dog at the time but was intoxicated when they crossed paths with two girls. One of the girls, who was 11 years old, attempted to cross the road to avoid the beast, but Yates lost control of his dog as it dragged his owner toward the two children.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the dog ruthlessly latched its teeth onto the girl's arm before pulling away to lick its lips. The beast then proceeded to bite her again. Luckily, the girl managed to break free from the vicious animal and was rushed to hospital following the attack.

But when Yates was confronted by the victim's family and was told that they had called the police, he responded, "oh for God's sake". The dog owner appeared in court for sentencing and had previously pleaded guilty to being the owner or person in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

The court was read an impact statement from the young girl where she said she was now scared to go out and play. Megan Horner, prosecuting, repeated: “Since this incident I do not like to play out now. I am scared of walking down that street. I am really anxious even in the car, when we drive down I am worried I may see him or his family members who were there on the night.

"I have scars on my arm for this incident. That is a constant reminder. I don’t go on walks with my family for fear of seeing other dogs.” The court heard he had 27 previous convictions but had been out of trouble since 2013 before this incident. After the dog attack he was given a community order for threatening behaviour for an unrelated matter.

Judge Abigail Hudson decided to delay sentence to see what progress he is making on this order. She said if he failed to comply, a prison sentence would be likely. She said: “If there is not compliance it rather takes the matter out of my hands.” Yates will return to be sentenced in September while a destruction order for the dog was made earlier this year.