Ormskirk Man Jailed after Toddler Mauled in Pit Bull Attack

A man has been jailed for 16 months after a three-year-old girl suffered serious facial injuries in a dog attack in Kirkby last year.

Harris Vinten, 32, of Thompson Avenue, in Ormskirk, pleaded guilty to being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and he was jailed onThursday 10 October, at Liverpool Crown Court.

On Saturday 2 September 2023 at around 3.20pm, the young victim was attacked by a pit bull, which is a banned breed, outside the Market Tavern Pub, on Newton Gardens.

She suffered significant facial injuries and required treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Vinten was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with the offence. The dog was seized and humanely destroyed with the consent of the owner.

As well as a prison sentence, Vinten has also been banned from owning dogs for four years.

Detective Constable Beth Flintham, who was the officer in charge of this case, said: “This was a horrific attack on a young girl, who suffered significant injuries to her face and required hospital treatment.
“Thankfully we were able to arrest Vinten at the scene and seized the dog, which was later established to be a pit bull, which is a banned breed.
“In this country, it’s against the law to own certain types of dogs, which includes pit bulls. We can only hope that this case gives a warning to dog owners, regardless of their breed of dog, about the importance of keeping their pets under control in public places.
“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.