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Jenkins Dale dog attack: Owners Michael Thornton and Hayley Eldridge, from Chatham deny wrongdoing

The owners of a banned breed of dog which attacked a young girl in a play park have denied any wrongdoing.

In the horrific incident, the dog was said to have mauled Victoria Resetnjova’s face before clamping its jaws around her head in front of other children, who tried to fight it off.

The animal, believed to be called Max, was shot dead by police on the Jenkins Dale estate in Chatham on April 4.

Warning: graphic image below

Police at the scene of the dog attack
Police at the scene of the dog attack

Michael Thornton, 26, and Hayley Eldridge, 28, both from Chatham, denied being the owner of a dog which caused injury to Victoria while dangerously out of control in a public place when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today.

The court heard Thornton, of Ryde Close, and Eldridge, of Gorse Avenue, had only owned the dog for a week and believed it to be a lawful Staffordshire bull terrier cross-breed.

Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly said at the time of the attack the dog was being walked by a 15-year-old girl, who cannot be identified.

The park in Jenkins Dale where the attack unfolded
The park in Jenkins Dale where the attack unfolded

She has admitted her involvement and will be sentenced at Medway Youth Court on October 24.

Thornton and Eldridge were granted conditional bail until their trial set for August 13 next year. There will be a pre-trial review on March 1.

Judge Philip Statman said he had seen the nature of the injuries caused and there was a clear public interest in the case.

The dog is covered by a blanket. Picture © Steve Finn Photography
The dog is covered by a blanket. Picture © Steve Finn Photography

Victoria, then aged 18 months, was playing with her 14-year-old sister Kristina when she was savaged.

It was reported at the time that the dog had “ripped off her scalp”. She was taken to London’s St George’s Hospital by air ambulance in a critical condition.

Victoria’s parents Valentina and Sergei previously thanked those who helped her, but said the attack had ruined the family’s lives.

Kent Police carried out tests on the dog after it was shot and found it to be a banned breed under the Dangerous Dog Act.

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