Toddler's dog attack 'horror'

Cari-Ann Simcock was ordered to pay £3,000 in costs

The owner of a dog which attacked a toddler on a beach has been given a conditional discharge at Swansea Crown Court.

Student Cari-Ann Simcock, 19, from Reynoldston, Gower, was walking her Staffordshire bull terrier called Bruiser when it attacked a 16-month old Dylan Martino.

Dylan, on holiday with his family from Slough, in Berkshire, later needed plastic surgery.

He still may face further operations.

The dog attacked the boy's face and head, while his father Stephen tried to protect his son, the court heard.

Dylan was taken to Swansea's Morriston hospital by air ambulance and later transferred to Stoke Mandeville hospital for specialised plastic surgery.

Prosecutor Patrick Griffiths told the court: "One cannot begin to imagine the utter horror of witnessing what occurred."

Dylan's parents outside court say he still may require surgery in future

Simcock admitted being the owner of a dangerous dog out of control.

The court heard how the Cardiff University student restrained her dog as soon as she could after the incident at Oxwich Bay in August 2003.

She cooperated with police as soon as they arrived.

Judge John Diehl conditionally discharged Simcock for two years.

She was also told to pay £3,000 in prosecution costs.

The judge decided against making an order for the destruction of the dog, but imposed a number of restrictions on Simcock.

Speaking after the trial, the Martino family confirmed that Dylan may need further surgery in later life.