A young dog groomer says her confidence has been destroyed after she was attacked by a client’s out of control terrier.
Kayleigh Price was bitten on the face by Stephen Jones’ cross breed terrier outside her home in Kirkby earlier this year.
The 25-year-old could be left with permanent scarring depending on the success of the remainder of her hospital treatment, Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard today.
Prosecutors told the court Price had been running a successful dog grooming business from a van outside her home in Kirkby, reports the Liverpool Echo.
She had worked in dog grooming since she was a teenager and said she had never had serious issues with dogs before but was badly bitten by Jones’ dog on May 27 this year outside the Saxon Drive house where she ran her business.
She had done work for Jones before and never had issues with his dog, Biscuit. Yet when Jones arrived by taxi that day she said she could see him struggling with Biscuit as he tried to get the dog out the car. She then went outside to take the dog from him and saw the dog had no lead or collar on. As she approached Jones, Biscuit leant towards her and bit her on the face.
CCTV showed Ms Price being bitten by the dog before running back into her home. She was taken to Aintree Hospital for treatment and has since had numerous appointments to address wounds on her face. Doctors have warned her an upcoming operation on her lip is likely to leave a permanent scar.
In a statement to the court, she said the incident had destroyed her confidence and left her in significant financial difficulties after she had to stop dog grooming for a significant period.
She described avoiding social gatherings because of self consciousness about her appearance and said this had taken a toll on her social life. She said: “I feel like I have lost all of my friends.”
Jones later pleaded guilty to being in control of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control.
Eileen Chisnall, defending, said he was deeply sorry for the injury caused to Ms Price and said there had been little indication that Biscuit would behave in the way he did. She said Jones, 52, was prepared to pay compensation to Ms Price but said the amount was limited because of his low income.
A series of requirements governing how Biscuit must be handled in the future have also been put in place, including the need for a muzzle and a short lead and for him to only be taken out by a person over the age of 18 years old.
District Judge Wendy Lloyd said it was “stupid in the extreme that this dog was not on a lead”, though said given it was being carried it was difficult to determined whether that could have prevented the incident.
She said: “These injuries are nasty. I hope that they heal somewhat. Treatment is ongoing but I do hope that she is not scarred for life.”
Jones was handed a 16 week curfew meaning he must be in his home between the hours of 9.30pm and 8am. He must pay Ms Price £500 in compensation, a figure which District Judge Lloyd was adjusted down significantly because of his very limited means.
The new requirements for Biscuit’s handling also formed part of the sentence.
