Aunt made a brew as her niece played with her dog, then she heard screams

CLAIRE SMITH WAS HANDED A SUSPENDED SENTENCE 05:55, 29 May 2025 A woman has been banned from owning dogs after her American Staffy cross ripped off her niece’s cheek. Claire Smith, 46, was

in the kitchen whilst her niece, 29, played with Nula in the living room of her home in Salford. The dog then ‘jumped’ on her and started to attack, holding onto the woman’s face for ‘five

minutes’. During the commotion, the dog briefly let go, before going in for a ‘second time’ at which Smith’s son came downstairs to pry the dog off her, Manchester Crown Court heard. The

29-year-old, who has a developmental disorder, suffered numerous injuries including to her right cheek which had been ripped from her face. She was sent to hospital and required plastic

surgery. Smith previously admitted being an owner in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. Today, May 28, she was handed a suspended prison term and banned from owning dogs for 10

years. Addressing her, judge Hilary Manley said: “The dog was indeed dangerously out of control in your own home. It attacked your vulnerable niece causing horrific injury to her face.

Article continues below “This was a sustained and persistent attack to the face, requiring two people to pull the dog away. I accept you are not a fit and proper carer and the dog does

present a risk to public safety.” In a basis of plea document, which was read to the court, Smith said Nula was a cross between an American Bulldog and a Staffordshire Terrier, and

understood it was not a prohibited breed. She said she was making a cup of tea in the kitchen before she heard her niece shouting for help and ran to the living room. Her son, who had been

upstairs, then came down to help remove the dog. After the attack, Smith took her niece to hospital where she was spoken to by cops. She said the dog was a ‘training dog’ and when asked

about the incident, she replied: “What incident?” Defending, Verity Quaite said the incident could not have been foreseen as the dog had no history of being violent. She said Smith could

benefit from ‘significant intervention’ due to her chaotic lifestyle. “Both the prosecution and defence experts agree there was no obvious signs of aggression, and the dog ‘avoided

conflict’. Ms Quaite added that there was no opposition to the court imposing a disqualification order, conceding: “She does not wish to persuade you that she is a fit and proper person to

be looking after a dog.” Article continues below Smith, of Addison Road, Irlam, was handed a 16 month term suspended for two years. She must complete a 12 month drug rehabilitation

programme, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and the Women’s Problem Solving Court. The dog was made subject of a destruction order and Smith was banned from owning dogs for 10

years due to her ‘not being a fit and proper person’ to look after dogs due to substance misuse. _JOIN OUR COURT AND CRIME WHATSAPP GROUP HERE_