Uncle pleads guilty to owning dangerous dog
Published on : 25/04/2007
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The uncle of a five-year-old girl mauled to death by a pit bull terrier has admitted owning the dangerous dog.
Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries during the attack on New Year's Day at her grandmother's home in Merseyside.
Her uncle, Kiel Simpson, 23, pleaded guilty at Liverpool magistrates court this afternoon to owning a dog banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dog Act. Under the act owners are legally responsible for attacks carried out by certain pure breeds, including pit bulls.
Simpson was warned that he could face jail when sentenced on May 16th.
His defence said that he felt "morally responsible" for Ellie's death.
Michael Fogarty told the court that Simpson "wanted to crawl into a hole".
Simpson's dog had previously attacked his 19-year-old sister and she received hospital treatment for puncture wounds. The pit bull had also been involved in an attack on another dog.
Ellie's grandmother, Jacqueline Simpson, 46, appeared at the same court earlier charged with unlawful killing but did not enter a plea.
