Kirkby woman’s XL Bully will be destroyed after it got loose and bit a child’s face

Aimee James' brother was packing belongings into a car when Trigger the dog came outside and the child stroked him on December 27 last year, said Lottie Tyler, prosecuting.

The brother put the dog inside, but when the child returned on a scooter and wearing a balaclava the door was left open and Trigger got loose again and bit the child's face before running back inside.

The court heard Nottinghamshire Police are charging £2,795 for kennelling the dog since the offence.

Orion John, mitigating, said James, of previous good character, called the police herself to report the incident.

"It was a moment when the dog reacted because the child was wearing a balaclava," he said.

Mr John said an expert report suggested the dog can be managed in public and Ms James has already made arrangements so the conditions can be adhered to.

He said James, a mum-of-three, was having a bath when the attack happened.

James, aged 32, of Cornerpin Drive, Kirkby, admitted being in charge of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control, when she appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on March 17.

On Thursday she was fined £120, with a £500 contribution towards the kennel costs, and £2,000 compensation to the victim.

An order was made for the dog to be destroyed but James will have 21 days to appeal the position.

“We don’t think there are any circumstances that could prevent a similar thing happening again,” the presiding magistrate told her.