Woman's guilty plea after dog attack on girl, 10

The owner of a powerful dog that attacked a ten-year-old girl, leaving her with severe facial wounds, has admitted failing to control the animal.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Dec 2010, 17:10 BST

Updated 2nd Dec 2010, 22:42 BST

Toni Clannachan needed more than 100 stitches after being bitten in the face by the Akita dog while playing in a school friend's garden in August.

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, yesterday, Gaynor McCabe pleaded guilty to a charge under the Dogs Act 1871. The court ordered the dog, of a breed sometimes known as a Japanese fighting dog, to be destroyed.

Speaking after McCabe's guilty plea, procurator fiscal Les Brown said: "The conviction of Gaynor McCabe today, and the destruction of the dog involved in the horrific attack on a young girl, sends out a clear message that owners of dogs have to take responsibility for keeping them under proper control.

"The Crown is committed to taking robust action in cases of this nature in order to ensure the safety of our local communities."

McCabe will be sentenced at a later date.