Scott Gallagher was jailed for 28 months while Katie Taylor received a suspended sentence after their dog bit a child four times at their Llandudno Junction home
A youngster was savaged and bitten four times on the arm by an XL bully whilst its owner “did nothing to help”.
Scott Gallagher was gripping the dog by its collar at a residence, but released it and the dog clamped its jaws into the child’s arm.
Co-defendant Katie Taylor dragged the dog away and the youngster was rushed to a neighbour’s home before paramedics were summoned. Both defendants pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. They also admitted child cruelty.
On Tuesday February 3, a judge at Caernarfon Crown Court sentenced Gallagher, 59, of Walton Road, Llandudno Junction, to 22 months behind bars for the dog offence and six months, to run consecutively, for child cruelty.
Taylor, 40, of the same address, received 18 months imprisonment for the dog offence and six months for child cruelty but her sentence was suspended for two years. She must also complete a 12-month mental health treatment programme and undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity, reports Wales Online.
The judge, His Honour Timothy Petts, also ordered the destruction of their XL Bully Tyson and the defendants’ Pit Bull Terrier, called Caesar. Both defendants were also banned from owning a dog for 15 years.
David Mainstone, prosecuting, said the dog attack happened in 2024. Gallagher “did nothing to help,” but Taylor did get the dog away, North Wales Live reported.
The youngster was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery the next day, where medics cleaned and stitched the four wounds.
Tom McLoughlin, representing Gallagher, told the court his client felt “a genuine and real sense of remorse”. Gallagher has a physical disability following a lorry accident.
Following his injuries, Gallagher had been prescribed morphine and became dependent on it. However, he has since been gradually taken off the medication and is now on a less addictive alternative.
Catherine Elvin, representing Taylor, highlighted that her client had stepped in to help. She said: “She jumped on Tyson, bit it and forced him to release his grip.”
Taylor is also deeply sorry for what happened, the court heard.
