Man admits dangerous dog charge

A man has pleaded guilty to allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control after a six-year-old girl had part of her ear bitten off.

Gary Hindley, 56, of Woodberry Way, Chingford, Essex, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court where he admitted allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and causing injury under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the Metropolitan Police said.

The child also suffered injuries to her neck and shoulder when she was mauled by the animal in a park in Chingford, Essex, on Saturday.

Hindley has been bailed to appear before the same court on February 13 for sentencing, police said.

Police said the unprovoked incident happened at about noon at Pole Hill, Woodberry Way, in front of the girl's parents and her younger brother.

Officers and paramedics arrived at the scene soon after the attack and the girl was taken to hospital in Essex for surgery, but the dog and the man with it had left the scene, the Metropolitan Police said yesterday.

The dog is thought to be a black and white bull terrier.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Cheek of Waltham Forest Police said the "appalling incident" had left the girl with serious injuries that could scar her for life."

PA