A woman has been scarred for life and left needing surgery after a dog attack. Hasnan Bukhari had been ‘emptying his bins’ when his Belgian Shepherd escaped from his garden and savaged the woman’s leg.North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 38-year-old reluctantly took in his dad’s dog after he passed away. But Bukhari was ‘unaware that the dog could pose a danger’.Prosecutor Lucy Allen told the court: “The victim was walking along on her daily commute to work when the defendant’s dog escaped from his property and attacked her. She was left with nasty injuries which required extensive medical treatment and skin grafts to repair. She will be scarred for life.”In an impact statement, the victim said: “This incident really affected me. I will always have scars on my leg as a result of this attack. That dog could have attacked anyone. I dread to think what would have happened if it had escaped and attacked a child. I spent 10 years in the military but I have never had nightmares like this until now. I’m scared to walk my own dog along the street.”Bukhari, of Minerva Road, Fenton, pleaded guilty to owning a dangerously out-of-control dog which caused injury.Mark Holder, mitigating, said that Bukhari has also been shocked and traumatised by the unexpected attack.He explained: “The dog got out from the garden while he was emptying the bins. The attack took him completely by surprise. He was devastated that this could happen. It is a tragic matter all round. The defendant rushed out to help this woman. He hit the dog to get her free. Then he took her inside his home so he could help with her injuries.”Bukhari was handed a 12-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £599 costs. Whether the dog will be destroyed will be decided at a further hearing on August 6.District Judge Joseph O’Connor said: “I’m not able to deal with the question of what to do with the dog as it currently stands. I do not have enough information about his current temperament and the way he behaves to safely rule whether he should be destroyed.“But what I can say is that the impact on the victim has been severe. She had to undergo surgery and will carry a visual reminder of this attack for the rest of her life. She is now scared to walk down the street.“However, I am also reminded that your personal culpability in this was low. The dog escaped and attacked the victim. You rushed to help, hitting the animal, and looking after the victim in your home. This means I am satisfied your case can be dealt with by way of a community order.”Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google SearchGet all the latest news from court here
Woman scarred for life in Stoke-on-Trent dog attack
