Animal

Schoolgirl used her own body to protect her dog from Staffie attack


The Staffordshire bull terrier’s owner Suzanne Johnson, 46, was ordered to pay the schoolgirl £300 compensation (Picture: Cavendish Press)

A schoolgirl bravely used herself as a human shield to save her Jack Russell from being mauled by a runaway Staffordshire bull terrier.

Elisha Aitken, 14, was left with a fractured wrist and other injuries as she put herself in the way of her pet dog Basil.

She was pulled to the ground by the Staffie as she turned her back to cradle Basil in her arms.

But she managed to get to her feet and overpower the dog when it got hold of Basil during the violent struggle.

The Staffie’s owner Suzanne Johnson, 46, put the dog on a lead after arriving at the scene in Tottington, Greater Manchester.

But she initially gave out an incorrect phone number when asked to provide her details, a court heard.

Elisha, who suffered scratch injuries to her arms and legs, later had an x-ray which found she had suffered a fractured wrist as she was dragged to the ground.

Basil also suffered injuries and underwent £60 worth of surgery at a vets.

The young girl and her pet Jack Russell were attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier (Stock image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In a statement, Elisha told police: ‘This incident has left me struggling to sleep and I have been having nightmares.

‘I no longer walk my dog alone and my dad has to come with me, which has taken away my independence.

‘I have not been back to where the incident happened as I am terrified I might see that dog again. Even when I walk to nearby shops, I cross the road if I see a dog I have not come across before.’

Johnson, a brewery agent from Tottington, admitted being in charge of dog dangerously out of control and causing injury at Manchester magistrates court, and was ordered to pay Elisha £300 compensation.

Her dog was spared from being put to sleep but will have to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public at all times.

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