Girl, six, learns to love dogs again after attack

A young girl who was scarred for life when she was attacked by a bulldog pats a "therapy" dog as part of a police drive to discourage irresponsible owners.

Chanelle Somerville, six, was walking with her mother near their home in Neasden in March when the powerful American bulldog escaped from its owner and bit her seven times.

She suffered serious wounds to her legs and arms and since then has suffered nightmares and severe anxiety when she sees a dog.

Now, thanks to the RSPCA, police officers and specialist handlers working on operation Bark (Brent Action for Responsible K9s), Chanelle is beginning to show signs of regaining her confidence.

Yesterday, she spent more than an hour patting and walking Bo the shih tzu with her mother Donna, staff from the Mayhew Animal Home in Kensal Green and Pc Tristan Hucklem, the first officer on the scene after the attack.

Mrs Somerville said: "I'm pleased with how Chanelle is progressing. I wasn't sure how she would respond to being around a dog again but she is gradually getting more comfortable. Before the attack she had a love for dogs and would love to pat them, but now she cries if she hears barking because that sticks in her mind from what happened."

Pc Simon Underwood, who leads Bark, said: "This is a great starting block for Chanelle on the way to recovery by way of control and supervised interaction with therapy dogs."

The scheme was launched after a rise in attacks in Brent involving dogs that are prone to aggressive behaviour if they are poorly handled, such as rottweilers and American bulldogs.

Pc Underwood said: "The reputations of these breeds are being tarnished due to the irresponsible few."

The dog that attacked Chanelle was put down and its owner charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act.