A little girl has been injured after she was bitten by what police believe to be a miniature Schnoodle. Eight-year-old Betty Williams was trying out her new rollerskates that she got for Christmas, by the colourful beach huts in Barry Island, when she was attacked by a dog out of nowhere, claims her mum.
On Monday, January 2, Aimee Williams, 30, from Caerphilly, took her children out for a new year's walk by the seaside when the incident occurred. She said: "I took my two children to Barry Island for a nice day out so my daughter could have a go on her new skates that she had for Christmas. My son, Carter, was on his scooter ahead when out of nowhere a dog off the lead attacked my daughter and bit her on the back of her leg."
She added: "Her scream was horrendous - it will stay with me forever. She was to the left of me and all I heard was this aggressive dog noise before her scream. I was panicking and grabbed Betty. The owner then called the dog back and chucked her on the lead.
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"I was trying to pull her skates off to look at her leg and Betty was hysterical, she couldn't breathe properly. I didn't know if the dog had caught her skates or leg - then I saw the top of her leg and she had a nasty bite and now also a bruise on the back of her left leg."
Aimee explained that she called the police straight away and was told to give her details and the dog owner's details over the phone, and someone would be in touch within 24 to 48 hours. However, Aimee feels that more needs to be done. Nearly 48 hours after the incident, she said: "No one has contacted me and I don't think it's good enough - they don't know if that woman has given me her right details, they've just allowed a dog to go and possibly bite somebody else. I live in Caerphilly where recently a little boy, Jack, died from a dog attack and also an elderly woman died from one."
She added: "It's frustrating that nothing is being done. Her scar will heal, but mentally will she? She's such an outgoing little girl but the last couple of days she's been quiet and her leg is hurting her."
South Wales Police have since confirmed that police in Barry are investigating the report.
Aimee said that after the incident she took her daughter to Barry Hospital to see to the wound. Luckily, she was physically fine as she was up to date on her shots and received a minor injury.
Aimee added: "The owner of the dog did apologise as she said 'I'm sorry I didn't see you coming as he doesn't like skates and I would have put him on his lead. He's never bitten before he's so kind and loving' - but why wasn't the dog on the lead if she knew the dog would act like that in an area where children were on their new bikes, scooters and skates - it's irresponsible. They knew their dog was petrified of skates so something like this must have happened before."
She added: "I just would like something to be done as I wouldn't want it happening to another child."
A spokesperson from South Wales Police said: "Police in Barry are investigating a report of a six-year-old girl being bitten on the leg by a Miniature Schnoodle while roller-blading on the Knap in Barry. The incident was reported at around 3.45pm on Monday January 2."
Local police inspector Mark Henderson said: “We take all reports of dog bites seriously. We have now been able to identify the owner of the dog and will make contact.
“We have also contacted the reporting person who we will also be arranging to meet."
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