Girl, 7, Mauled by Dog While Playing in the Street, as Neighbors Threw Bricks in Attempt to Stop the Vicious Attack

A man has been sentenced to jail after a dog he was watching got loose and attacked a 7-year-old girl and an off-duty nurse who tried to help.

Lee Johnston, 55, was sentenced to 27 months in jail at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, Feb. 12, in connection with an incident on May 29, 2025, according to local U.K. reports.

Johnston admitted to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog causing injury. He also pleaded guilty to producing cannabis after three plants were found in his home following the attack.

Prosecutor Andy Scott said Johnston had been asked to watch a Staffordshire bull terrier named Menace, which belonged to his son. Scott told the court that while Johnston was taking a shower, the dog escaped and attacked a 7-year-old girl who was playing outside with a friend.

Witnesses tried to drive the dog away, including by throwing bricks, reports said. Ellie Woods, a 22-year-old off-duty nurse, ran in to help the child and was also bitten before other members of the public managed to restrain the dog and place it in a crate until police arrived.

The child suffered serious injuries, including bites to her calf, thigh, feet, and hands, some of them deep enough to expose tissue and bone, according to reports. She underwent two surgeries and later received treatment aimed at reducing the appearance of scarring.

Woods was hospitalized as well, with bite injuries to her thigh, arm, and stomach, reports said.

Johnston told police he had been watching the dog as a favor for his son and said he spent an extended period in the shower because of a stomach disorder. He said he left his back door open so the dog could access a fenced and gated garden, and claimed he did not know how the animal got out, suggesting high winds may have damaged the gate or fencing.

He also told officers that his son’s partner no longer wanted the dog at their home because she was afraid for their children, including a newborn, and that he had been urged to take the animal.

Defense attorney Suzanne Payne said Johnston took the dog to protect his son’s young family, acknowledged he failed to take adequate precautions, and expressed remorse. Payne also said Johnston had not been convicted of any offenses since 2012, despite earlier convictions.

Judge Stuart Driver said Johnston was responsible for what happened.

“The background is important here,” the judge said, according to reports. “You knew that this dog, named Menace, was a powerful animal that was obviously dangerous. You failed to respond to warnings or concerns expressed by others about the dog’s behaviour and there was a lack of safety or control measures when an incident could have reasonably been foreseen.”