An 11-year-old schoolgirl and two others were left injured by a “dangerous and aggressive” dog that carried out separate attacks on unsuspecting individuals. The young girl continues to experience nightmares following the horrific incident, which occurred last year while she was walking home from school. The attack left her with a deep wrist wound and lasting emotional damage.
Hull Crown Court heard that a 74-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were also victims of the brown Alsatian-type dog on different occasions. Faisal Waleed, a 30-year-old resident of Alliance Avenue, Hull, pleaded guilty to owning a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused injuries on three separate occasions in November and December.
Waleed was sentenced to two years in prison and has been indefinitely banned from owning a dog, as reported by Hull Live. During the court proceedings, prosecutor Rachel Scott recounted the first attack, which took place around 8 am on November 30. The elderly victim was walking in Victoria Dock, Hull, when the dog unexpectedly pounced on him from behind, knocking him to the ground.
Waleed tried to intervene, but the dog continued its assault, biting the man’s shoulders. Despite declining Waleed’s offer of assistance, the victim sought medical treatment for cuts and severe bruises. The following day, Waleed had the dog on a leash, but he was not holding it as it roamed freely on the ground.
While walking two dogs in Lock Keepers Court around 7 pm, the canine attacked a 20-year-old woman, biting her arm for about a minute. Waleed struggled to restrain the dog, which caused damage to the woman’s jacket and left her with bruises and red marks on her arm. The attack exacerbated her fear of dogs, which was particularly distressing as she had always been fond of them.
On December 16, while Waleed was walking the same dog with an elastic leash held in one hand, the animal lunged at an 11-year-old schoolgirl as she walked home from school. The girl fell to the ground after being bitten on the left wrist, and Waleed had to forcefully pull the dog away.
The girl’s wound required stitches, and she now suffers from a fear of dogs and recurring nightmares. Despite previously enjoying the company of dogs, she no longer wants to be near them and has lost confidence. Prosecutor Rachel Scott informed the court that Waleed was aware of his dog’s aggressive and unpredictable nature.
After the authorities seized the dog, it fell ill and had to be euthanized. Waleed allegedly refused to cover the veterinary expenses for its treatment. During the court hearing, Waleed’s defense attorney, Julia Baggs, acknowledged the severity of the offenses and the resulting injuries.
Baggs stated that Waleed, who lived alone at the time, was unaware of the dog’s potential aggression and claimed to have no recollection of being asked to pay veterinary fees. Waleed, an asylum seeker from Kuwait, expressed his desire to apologize to the victims and acknowledged the impact his actions had on their lives.
He left the country due to fears of religious persecution and was reportedly unaware that his asylum claim had been unsuccessful. Judge John Thackray KC addressed Waleed, highlighting the terror and injuries suffered by the victims and emphasizing that it should have been evident to him, especially after the second attack, that his dog posed a significant danger.
