This is the terrifying moment a child killer dog named Beast gave a chilling hint of the tragedy that would follow. Straining at its lead, dragging around its owner, and lunging at pedestrians including a young boy on a scooter, this is the terrifying moment a child killer dog named Beast gave a chilling hint of the tragedy that would follow.
On November 8, last year, the near-7-ton Bully XL dog mauled ten-year-old schoolboy Jack Lis at a house in Caerphilly.
After the’muscular’ animal was advertised ‘for free’ on Facebook with a warning that it was ‘not good with other dogs,’ Amy Salter, 29, and Brandon Hayden, 19, acquired Beast.
The schoolboy was killed inside a residence near Hayden’s home in South Wales by the enraged animal. Armed officers had to fire seven shots into the dog after it attacked Jack without warning.
After school, Jack was playing with a friend when they went to the house where Beast was roaming around downstairs, killing him.
Hayden, 19, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison today at Cardiff Crown Court. Salter, a friend of his, was sentenced to three years in prison. Both were permanently barred from keeping a dog.
Outside the neighborhood supermarket, the animal attacked consumers and lunged at youngsters, according to CCTV evidence displayed in court. One instance occurred 24 hours before Jack died, and it depicted the two of them laughing.
In one scene, Hayden is shown leading Beast when he leaps up and bites bystander Michael Ball.
The animal also lunges at terrified children while Hayden fails to pull him back, with one boy dropping his scooter and fleeing behind a wall.
The dog also attacked shopper Sian Sullivan, ripping her hoodie and injuring her chest, according to the court. The series of attacks occurred between November 4 and 7, only days before Jack’s death.
And it was Jack who would perish in the end.
Beast pulled Jack to the ground with his ‘paws on Jack’s shoulders,’ according to prosecutor Gareth James, while the buddy watched in fear.
‘It was at that point that the friend witnessed Beast assault Jack,’ Mr James explained.
‘He went to aid Jack but realized right away that he couldn’t.’
As the details of her son’s death were read aloud, Jack’s mother Emma Whitfield grabbed a teddy and grieved the entire hearing.
In a frantic attempt to find aid, the friend ran to his neighbor Kirk Wiegold’s house, according to Cardiff Crown Court.
Mr Wiegold attempted to enter but was only able to open the door ‘a little’ and was confronted with the awful scene.
Jack was unfortunately pronounced dead after emergency personnel arrived at the residence in Caerphilly, South Wales.
His parents were waiting outside when they were informed that their son had been attacked, according to the court.
Hayden had responded to a Facebook ad before asking Salter whether the dog could stay with her, according to Mr James.
‘On November 3 of last year, Brandon Hayden became the owner of Beast,’ he stated. He’d responded to a classified ad offering Beast to a good home for free.
‘The vendor stated that it did not get along with other dogs.’ Mr Hayden consented to take Beast with the awareness that Beast’s behavior toward other dogs was a problem.
‘After acquiring Beast, he asked Amy Salter if Beast could stay with her at her home due to a lack of room and Beast’s dislike of other dogs. For a little time, he asked Amy Salter to look after Beast.
‘Ms Salter helped feed and water Beast, but Mr Hayden provided the food and was the only one who walked it. Brandon Hayden was given a key to come to work and walk the dog every day.’
The pair were only looking after Beast for a few days before it attacked and killed Jack on November 8 last year, according to the court.
On the video, Hayden can also be seen ‘kicking and slapping’ Beast after it leaped over a fence to maul a Jack Russell.
‘Within 24 hours of becoming Beast’s owner, Hayden could tell such accidents were possible,’ Mr James said.
‘Despite seeing the incidents, Ms Salter agreed to let Beast stay at the property, providing him with shelter, food, and water.’
‘The only thing preventing him from getting upstairs was an old door, and he was free to go about without any device or cage to control him.’
Beast was shot by weapons officers on the scene, according to the court, as frightened neighbors gathered outside following the attack on Jack.
In an interview, Hayden presented a prepared statement claiming that the dog belonged to Salter “as far as he was concerned.”
He arrived at the scene after the incident and appeared to be ‘freaking out’ before fleeing when police arrived, according to the court.
‘He claimed he’ll never forget the sights he witnessed and can’t get them out of his head,’ Mr James added.
Salter and Hayden both admitted to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog that caused harm and death.
Hayden also guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog and two charges of being the owner of a dog that caused injury in a public place while dangerously out of control.
Judge Michael Fitton QC continues to hear the case.