Blackburn woman guilty over horrific Bully Kutta dog attack

Ashiya Hussain, 32, pleaded not guilty to the charge at a previous hearing and maintained that plea ahead of the hearing at Burnley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 31.

The victim, 60-year-old Donna Ormerod, was savagely attacked by the dog, a Bully Kutta, when she was out walking her own pets in Preston Old Road, Feniscowles.

She suffered life-changing injuries to her leg during the incident and had to undergo surgery and rehabilitation.

Injuries sustained by Donna Ormerod. Warning, more graphic images are below (Image: Donna Ormerod)

Prosecuting, Graham Tindall said the victim was out at around 10.30pm on January 12, 2022, walking her dogs when she encountered Hussain and her dog, Bruno.

The dogs began to bark at each other, and Bruno managed to escape Hussain’s control, heading towards the victim.

She was thrown to the floor after Bruno bit her on her right thigh and then locked onto her leg.

The victim was eventually released from the dog’s grasp and managed to get to safety.

Speaking in court, the victim said as she was on the floor she hoped it “wouldn’t let go of my leg because if it did I thought it would go for my throat and kill me”.

She received treatment at Royal Preston Hospital where she received more than 80 stitches and had to have two operations.

The injury caused by Ashiya Hussain's dog

Hussain, of Railway Grove, Blackburn, claimed Bruno is a "friendly, happy dog" who lives with her and her five children, and they have raised him since he was a puppy.

Bully Kuttas are large dogs primarily used for hunting or guarding in the Indian subcontinent, and stand around 80cm tall, with males weighing up to 90kg.

Their temperament is described as "aggressive, intelligent, energetic, responsive, alert, and protective", with dog information website The Smart Canine describing the breed as "enormous, aggressive, and dangerous"

Giving evidence, she said when the dogs began to bark at each other, the metal chain lead she was holding "became twisted around her fingers which is why she lost grip of it", denying that she let go on purpose.

Hussain left the scene when a man came out of the Fieldens Arms pub and began to help the victim, saying "she thought [the victim] would now be okay".

She and her partner returned later in their car after putting Bruno away, but nobody was there when they arrived.

Hussain maintained the dog was not out of control, saying when he was called he came back and he followed her because she crossed to the other side of the road.

Ms Ormerod's dog was also injured

Passing judgement, magistrate Vanessa Townson said: “You have given inconsistent evidence, specifically regarding the lead being lost from your hand or if the dog broke free from its lead.

“The finding in the disputed matters is the dog was in the road loose and didn’t respond to recall.

“The admissions in this regard allowed the dog to be out of control and led to the injury. And therefore we find you guilty of this offence.”

Hussain will appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court on July 6 to be sentenced.

She was granted unconditional bail.