Banned Pit Bull Terrier mauled Uber Eats driver delivering a McDonald's in savage attack

A banned dog that left an Uber Eats driver in hospital after biting him in the face has been allowed to return to its owner.

Gemma Louise Ward's Pit Bull Terrier mauled the man as he delivered a McDonald's order to her home in Oldham in May of last year. The pet, named Kyra, left the man with a bloodied face after pouncing on him and sinking its teeth into his jaw.

At Tameside Magistrates' Court today (Monday), Ward was told she could be reunited with the animal after a dog expert concluded it was not a danger to the public. The 40-year-old walked free from court as she was handed a community order and ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation to the victim.

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Gareth Hughes, prosecuting, told the court that the man pulled up outside Ward's home in Seventh Avenue, Limeside, to drop off the food order on the evening of May 3 of last year.

As he knocked on her door, Mr Hughes said the driver spotted a dog barking at the living room window.

He was not initially concerned but when Ward opened the door, he realised that the animal was not contained in the living room. The animal appeared "agitated" and was barking loudly as it tried to get past Ward.

The driver was unsure what to do and, as he tried to pass the food to Ward, the dog managed to get around her and headed towards him.

The man took a step back as he did not know whether the dog was after the food or wanted to attack him, Mr Hughes said.

He raised both hands in the air and dropped the delivery bag before the animal pinned him against a fence, the court heard.

The man was "frozen in fear" as the dog jumped up and sunk its teeth into his jaw, leaving blood dripping onto the floor. The pet tried to bite the man again on the same spot, but scratched his arm instead as he had his hand over the wound.

Ward came out of the house but appeared "reluctant to get involved", the court heard. The victim's daughter, who had been in the car with him, came to help him after hearing him "screaming in pain".

The attack only came to an end when Ward's daughter emerged from the house and grabbed hold of the dog. The man's daughter then dialled 999 and he was taken to hospital, where he was treated for the wound to his face.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, he said the attack had left him "shook and confused as to why someone would let this happen". He said he had struggled to get over the incident and needed medication to help him sleep at night.

Ward, of Seventh Avenue, Oldham, has previously admitted possession of a prohibited breed and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control - causing injury.

The dog was seized by police following the attack and has been in kennels ever since. The court heard that although it was a banned breed, an expert had assessed the pet and concluded it was not a danger and could be put on the register of exempt dogs managed by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs.

Anthony Horsfall, representing Ward, said the mum-of-three was "wholly remorseful about what took place".

He said Ward, who has no previous convictions, had three safety gates inside her home but had left one at the living room door ajar in a "momentary lapse in concentration".

"Ms Ward did try to shield the victim," he added. "She did try to act as a barrier between him and the dog."

At the time of the incident, Mr Horsfall said Ward believed her dog to be an American XL Bully rather than a Pit Bull Terrier.

"At the relevant time, she was not aware that she had a prohibited breed," he said.

Mr Horsfall said Ward had since purchased a warning sign and a muzzle for the dog and urged the court to allow the animal to be returned to her.

"This is the first and only time in which an incident has occurred," he said. "There have never been any problems.

"This is someone who, not withstanding a momentary lapse in concentration, cares deeply about the dog."

Ward was handed a 12-month community order and told she must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation to the victim.

Chair of the bench, Janet Entwistle, told Ward that the court had deemed her to be a "fit and proper" person to be allowed to keep a dog.

She said the dog could be returned to her under a contingent destruction order, which stipulates that it must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. Ward was also told to keep the pet inside a crate when answering the door in future.

"We do feel that you are fit to have a dog," said Ms Entwistle. "Obviously you will be more aware now. You have got children there so I'm sure you will be extra careful."