Pair jailed after dog named ‘Beast’ mauled and killed 10-year-old boy
A pair of dog owners have been jailed after their XL Bully, named Beast, killed a 10-year-old boy, just days after it also attacked several shoppers.
Two dog owners have been jailed after their XL Bully killed a 10-year-old boy in Wales last year.
The attack on Jack Lis, 10, in November 2021 came just days after the dog, named Beast, lunged at children and attacked shoppers, in disturbing footage shown to Cardiff Crown Court.
Owners Brandon Hayden, 19, and Amy Salter, 29, admitted being in charge of the dog which killed Jack, The Sun reports.
Hayden was jailed for four years and six months, while Salter was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Both were banned from owning a dog indefinitely.
Jack’s mum Emma Whitfield clutched a teddy and cried as the pair were sentenced, with details of her son’s death being read out.
Shoppers terrified at dog
The court heard how Beast had caused havoc around shoppers on November 4, just days before Jack was killed.
The 45kg animal jumped up at passers-by, knocked items out of their hands and made children run in fear as his owners struggled to control him with a lead.
In one CCTV clip, shown in court, Hayden was seen holding Beast on a lead while he jumped up and bit passer-by Michael Ball.
The footage also showed the animal lunging at terrified children while Hayden failed to pull him back – with one boy dropping his scooter and running to hide behind a wall.
The court heard the dog also attacked shopper Sian Sullivan when he ripped her hoodie and left her with injuries to her chest.
Horrific scene as dog attacked 10-year-old
Days after the shopping incident, tragedy struck when it mauled to death schoolboy Jack inside a property near his home.
He had been playing with a friend after school when they went to the house where Beast was roaming around downstairs.
Prosecutor Gareth James said the friend watched in horror as Beast pushed Jack to the floor with his “paws on Jack’s shoulders”.
Mr James said: “He went to help Jack but immediately realised that he could not.”
The friend then ran to neighbour Kirk Wiegold’s home in a desperate attempt to get help.
Mr Wiegold tried to get inside but could only open the door “a fraction” and was met by the horrific scene.
Emergency services rushed to the address, but Jack was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a victim impact statement, mum Emma said: “I close my eyes and I see the animal and its teeth. I hear the barking.
“I used to be happy, bubbly, fun but now I am a nervous wreck.
“I’m angry because my child went out to play and didn’t come home.
“I am trapped in what used to be our family home. Now it’s broken and will never be the same.”
Jack’s dad John Lis said: “Losing a child is heartbreaking to say the least, but to lose a child in such an horrific, unimaginable way is not something that anyone would ever be able to come to terms with or accept.
“Jack was 10 years old and had his whole life ahead of him, but this was taken from him.”
‘Not good with other dogs’
In court, Mr James said Hayden had responded to an ad on Facebook offering the dog “for free” before asking Salter if the dog could stay with her.
“Brandon Hayden became the owner of Beast on November 3 last year,” he said.
“The seller said it was not good with other dogs. Mr Hayden agreed to take Beast with the initial understanding there were some issues with Beast’s behaviour towards other dogs.
“He asked Amy Salter if Beast could stay with her at her address due to lack of space and Beast was not getting along with other dogs.
“Ms Salter assisted with feeding and watering Beast but Mr Hayden supplied food and was the only person who walked it.”
The court heard the pair had been looking after Beast for less than a week before it attacked and killed Jack on November 8.
Hayden was also seen “kicking and slapping” Beast after it jumped over a fence to maul a Jack Russell.
Mr James said: “Within 24 hours of Hayden becoming Beast’s owner he could see such incidents were likely.
“Despite seeing the incidents, Ms Salter agreed for Beast to stay at the address and provided shelter, food and watering Beast.
“There was only an old door to stop him from going upstairs [and he] was permitted freely to walk around with no apparatus or cage to restrain him.”
This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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