Girl Asks ‘Mummy Am I Going to Die’ After Dog Attack at Farm Visit
An 11-year-old girl was attacked by a pack of dogs during a farm visit, leaving her traumatized and injured
Tiverton, Devon, Dog Attack, Farm Visit, PTSD
Tiverton: So, there was this really scary incident at Coombeland Farm. An 11-year-old girl got attacked by a pack of eight dogs. Can you believe that? The dogs were all red Labradors, and they just went for her while she was visiting the farm.
The dogs belonged to a businessman named John Hardy. Apparently, he didn’t seem too worried about what happened. The girl’s mom said he was pretty casual about the whole thing, which is just wild.
Another woman got hurt too, and Hardy even offered her £80 for her ripped trousers. But three of those dogs have been put down since the attack. Hardy, who’s 75, was found guilty of having dogs that were dangerously out of control. He got a suspended sentence and has to pay the victims £5,000 each.
This woman was attacked first, last January, while she was delivering hay. The dogs just went for her, biting her all over. It was so bad that her partner thought she might die. A farmhand had to help her get to safety, and she ended up in the hospital for five days with serious injuries.
Then, a month later, the little girl was visiting the farm with her mom to see a horse. While they were chatting with Hardy, the dogs charged at them. They pinned the girl down and bit her repeatedly. She was so scared that she asked her mom if she was going to die. How heartbreaking is that?
She ended up with 36 wounds and bruises all over. The doctors told her she’d have scars for life. Now, she’s dealing with PTSD and is terrified of dogs. Hardy initially pleaded not guilty but later admitted to the charges. He’s now selling his business and estate, saying he’s shocked and sorry about what happened.
The judge called the first attack brutal and made it clear that if Hardy can’t control the remaining dogs, they’ll be destroyed too. It’s just a really sad situation all around.