XL Bully owner charged after schoolgirl nearly killed dog attack

The owner of an XL Bully has been charged a 12-year-old girl was left with 'life-changing injuries' in a horror dog attack' 

Ayva Batkin was 'inches from death' after a vicious dog sank its teeth into her arm leaving her with horror bite marks on October 7.

She had just got out of the car on The Crescent in Nantyglo, Brynmawr, South Wales, when the dog charged towards her and took a huge chunk out of her arm.

A keen martial arts fan, Ayva has vowed to fight back after undergoing plastic surgery to have skin and ligaments taken from her leg by surgeons to replace the damage done to her arm.

It was claimed the dog was not on a lead and did not have a muzzle and had to be tackled by Ayva's brave father.

Justin Allison, 37, has now been charged with possessing a banned breed without a licence, in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

He is due to appear at Newport Magistrates Court on Monday, December 9.

Ayva's mum Louisa said her daughter is 'the definition of bravery'. 

She said: 'While her arm was severely damaged one of the first things she said to me was she was so glad it was her and not her brothers, knowing especially her younger brother is so small.

'She is my inspiration and any person should aspire to have her bravery and get up and go - which has made me forget she is only 12. I am so proud of her.'  

Louisa said her daughter had just got out of the car with her dad when the dog came out of the blue. 

She was at home and a neighbour rushed to tell her something had happened.

She added: 'My daughter is going to be scarred physically and mentally for life, a few inches higher or a couple of millimetres deeper she would be dead.

'I am a dog owner myself and can't fathom how people have such a blatant disregard for life. I just want others to realise that they need to be responsible.

'I also want people who let their kids out to make sure they tell them to be extra aware of their surroundings as this happened in a split second and with an adult around. Smaller children wouldn't have had a chance.'

Two people were arrested following the attack on October 7 and the dog was put down.

Gwent Police said at the time, 'Officers attended and a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital with life changing injuries.

'The dog was seized by officers and will be destroyed. No other animals were involved in the attack.

'A 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both from the Brynmawr area, have been arrested on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control.'