This'll put the dog amongst the pigeons....

[NJOK]

The grandmother of Ellie Lawrenson, the five-year-old who was mauled to death by a dog banned in Britain, was today cleared of the child's killing.

Jacqueline Simpson, 45, was acquitted of manslaughter by gross neglect by the seven men and five women jury at Liverpool crown court, following a six-day trial.

During the trial, Ms Simpson denied failing to take proper care of Ellie by allowing the pit bull terrier - which had previously attacked family members and other dogs - in the house when she knew it was dangerous.

Ms Simpson was babysitting Ellie at her home in St Helens, Merseyside, early on January 1 when the dog attacked the girl, causing 72 injuries, primarily to her head and neck.

The dog, called Reuben, was owned by Ellie's uncle Kiel Simpson, and was banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The court heard that, in the hours before the attack, Ms Simpson had drunk two bottles of wine, taken anti-depressants and smoked cannabis.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

leave me out of it

[Kleiber]

Having read all your posts on this, don't you think this is a good argument for bringing back the dog licence? I know a lot of people will say it's a bit like the gun laws & there are still illegal guns on the street, whilst responsible people are penalised, but at least that would be a start. Not at a paltry fee, like it used to be, either. I'm sure most dog owners ( the responsible ones, at least - and I know there are a good few who subscribe to this site) would welcome the return of licensing. It would (hopefully) stop indiscriminate breeding, clamp down on dog-fighting(if it was policed properly) and maybe prevent another tragedy like this. As a dog owner, I for one, would be happy to have my dogs licensed. Thoughts, anyone?

[Lonnie]

Thanks Wardy,
And a Shana Tova to you also, good of you to take notice.

[Diane1954]

Didn't the owner get sent to prison for owning a 'dangerous' dog. I think he got 2 months.

[bundleone]

Yes the owner got 2 month in prison, but to be convicted of manslaughter surely there must be some sort of intent.
although it was stupid to let the dog in she didnt intend it to kill the child,
I agree the mother should never have left the child with such an irrisponsible grandmother.

[anotheoldgit]

Why do you think bringing back a more expensive dog licence would cut down the number of irresponsible owners kleiber? When as money stood in the way of this class of people affording their needs?

Child = Killed :-

Owner = 2 months in prison

Dog = executed

Mother = No charge

Grand Mother = Cleared

[Pippa68]

I agree with you surfer mike.

Both cases were the result of 'error of judgement'.

[musicmummy]

very sad case indeed, poor wee girl, but why would you want to leave your kid in the care of someone who was drunk and on drugs, wether there was a dog there or not?

[daffy654]

bundleone...if she had intended the dog to hurt the child she would have been charged with murder not manslaughter.
She caused the child's death by an act of neglect and in my opinion should have done some prison time for that.