Family 'Disgusted' By Dog Death Sentence

The family of a 14-year-old girl savaged to death by four dogs say they are

“disgusted” after the owner walked free from court with a suspended sentence.

Beverley Concannon was sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to the four dogs, which killed Jade Lomas-Anderson in March.

The teenager died after she was attacked by two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

The dogs turned on her while she was visiting Concannon’s daughter, and armed police were later forced to kill the animals.

Jade suffered “horrific” injuries “from head to toe”, Wigan Magistrates’ Court heard.

The judge said Concannon, 45, had subjected the animals to “prolonged neglect” and that she should have been aware of the dogs’ aggressive behaviour.

The court heard that the animals were cooped up together in the house and had become “hyper aggressive”.

One of the dogs, an American bull mastiff, was kept in a small cage and was described as “stir crazy”.

Jade’s stepfather Michael told reporters that the family had been let down.

He said: “I’m devastated and disgusted in the justice system.

“Today was just about dangerous dogs. I think she should be held responsible for Jade.

“We have got a life sentence. It has absolutely ripped us apart.”

Concannon had pleaded guilty to the cruelty charge and admitted subjecting the dogs to “an environment that was detrimental to their well-being”.

Her 16-week jail sentence is suspended for 12 months and she has been disqualified from owning and keeping dogs indefinitely.

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was not enough evidence to bring a charge of manslaughter.

It also said it could not bring charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act because they were not banned breeds and were not out of control in a public place.

Jade’s family want the Government to tighten dangerous dogs laws.

The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill is currently being examined by Parliament.

It aims to remove the immunity from prosecution of dog owners whose animal attacks someone on private property, such as their home.

The Bill is designed to protect people who visit houses as part of their job.

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Family 'Disgusted' By Dog Death Sentence