'While you were in charge of Chappy, he caused a very serious injury to a young boy'

FIVE-YEAR-OLD HORRIFICALLY ATTACKED BY XL BULLY 'BEAST'

- By MARK NAYLOR

Courteney Chearman was convicted of being the owner of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control

A “HUGE” and “powerful” XL Bully dog viciously attacked a terrified five-year-old boy without any warning and clamped its jaws onto his head - causing horrific injuries.

The young boy innocently asked to see the “puppy” after his mother took him to the house where the dog - from a “notorious” breed known for being “capable of extreme violence” - was being kept.

He was expecting to see a small and cuddly puppy but he was suddenly set upon in a “horror” attack that left him disfigured and scarred.

The young woman who owned the potentially “dangerous” XL Bully left it with her mother while she went on holiday but no safety precautions whatsover were arranged, Hull Crown Court heard.

Courteney Chearman, 26, of Steynburg Street, east Hull, denied being the owner of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control on May 27 last year but she was convicted by a jury after a trial.

Her mother, Victoria Marks, 48, also of Steynburg Street, admitted being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

The court heard that Chearman was the owner of an 11-month-old XL Bully, called Chappy. The dog had been one of 12 puppies born in June 2023 to an XL Bully owned by Chearman’s then boyfriend.

They decided to keep Chappy but the relationship broke down. Chappy, then two months old, was later looked after exclusively by Chearman.

The XL Bully breed became illegal to own. Current owners had to have an exemption certificate. Chearman applied for one but the process was not completed.