Woman from St Helens jailed after two XL bully dogs attack

A woman from St Helens who was in charge of two XL Bully dogs that viciously attacked a woman and caused her significant injuries has been jailed.

Kelis Smith, 24, of Brook Hall Close, pleaded guilty to two counts of being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison today, Wednesday 6 November, at Liverpool Crown Court.

At around 11pm on Monday 15 May 2023, two XL Bully dogs escaped from an insecure garden and ran onto the street before attacking a woman aged in her 20s.

Neighbours who heard the victim’s screams came rushing out to help the woman and emergency services were called to the scene.

The attack, which lasted for around seven minutes, resulted in the woman sustaining life-changing injuries to her arms and hands.

As well as a prison sentence, the judge also banned Smith from owning dogs for two years and issued a destruction order for the two dogs, which since the incident have been kept in a secure police kennels.

Detective Sergeant Ian Harrison said: “Smith failed in her responsibility to keep these dogs in a secure premises, which led to them running out onto the street and attacking a young woman.

“Smith’s recklessness resulted in this horrific incident, which lasted around seven minutes and left the victim with life changing injuries to her arms and hands.

“It was only thanks to the brave actions of neighbours that it wasn’t worse.

“We can only hope that this case gives a stark warning to dog owners about keeping animals under control.

“We will act on all information provided on suspected irresponsible dog ownership. Failing to keep your dog under control can lead to the worst outcome imaginable.”
 
Call 999 if a dog is posing an immediate threat to the safety of the public, or pass other information via @Merpol CC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 
 
You can also report other concerns about dogs via your local authority.