Three girls, 4, 8 & 11, mauled by ‘monster’ 7st XL Bully in horror attack at home – as mum, 42, is spared jail
A "MONSTER" seven-and-a-half stone XL Bully mauled three young girls, dragging one across the floor and biting her down to the bone.
Mum Victoria Hewitt was at home with her two children, aged eight and four, as well as an 11-year-old friend of the kids when family pet Karma suddenly flipped.
A knock at the door resulted in the dog acting in a "very aggressive and violent way" and she "went" for the eight-year-old, a court heard.
During the incident in Costessey, Norfolk, Hewitt, 42, tried to distract the animal with some ham but it didn't work, prosecutor Chris Youell said.
Instead, Karma began attacking the child as the other two screamed, before it targeted them too, reports .
The girls ran for the door and were all bitten before Hewitt managed to wrestle the dog away.
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The eight-year-old managed to flee upstairs with her toddler brother, aged two, who was in his cot during the attack on March 7 last year.
A neighbour helped Hewitt restrain Karma and held her on the floor, telling everyone to get out.
When cops arrived on the scene, the mum screamed at them to "shoot the dog".
Mr Youell described how Karma was sedated by officers before being destroyed.
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Which dog breeds are banned in the UK?
THERE are specific regulations in place that prohibit certain dog breeds from being owned or bred in the UK.
So what are the illegal dogs in the UK and why are they illegal? Here's what we know.
Which dog breeds are illegal in the UK?
People tend to think of large, vicious dogs when they imagine being bitten by one.
But the truth is that many types of dogs are known to bite humans, whether provoked or not.
However, it's important to remember that just because a breed tends to bite humans, that doesn't mean that they all do.
British law determines five breeds of dog are illegal to own, breed, sell or give away.
These are an XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
The three girls suffered bite and puncture wounds which needed medical treatment.
The eight-year-old had "significant" injuries, including a deep wound down to the bone on her arm, the court heard.
The dog had previously belonged to an ex partner of Hewitt's who had left it with her.
The court was told the mum had taken precautions, including installing a pen and stairgates.
Hewitt appeared in court yesterday having admitted a charge of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
Rob Pollington, defending, said his client was "extremely remorseful for what has occurred".
Judge Anthony Bate said the precautions taken were "well intended" but ultimately "inadequate".
He sentenced Hewitt to an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
He also ordered her to carry out 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR).