**Caernarfon Boy Has Thumb Amputated After XL Bully Attack – Owner Jailed**
A heart-rending court case unfolded in Caernarfon this week, after a nine-year-old boy suffered a life-altering injury as a result of a dog attack in a residential area. The young victim, Caio Shaw, lost his right thumb when a powerful XL Bully escaped from its home and targeted him as he was out on the street.
The incident, which took place in North Penrallt, Caernarfon, left the local community deeply unsettled and sparked renewed concerns about dangerous breeds and responsible dog ownership. The owner of the animal, Ian Parry, aged 45, has now been handed a custodial sentence for failing to prevent the tragedy.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard harrowing details of how Parry’s dog was inadvertently let out of its cage, likely by Parry’s daughter, and quickly zeroed in on Caio, who was just eight years old at the time. The court was told that as the animal attacked, a bystander, Yvonne Hodgson, bravely attempted to pull the dog away from the terrified child. Parry himself rushed from his home with a knife and stabbed the dog twice in an attempt to stop the assault.
Emergency services, including armed police officers, soon arrived at the chaotic scene. Despite their efforts, officers were compelled to shoot the dog dead to prevent further harm. The severity of Caio’s wounds meant doctors had no choice but to partially amputate his right thumb. According to court reports, he continues to be traumatised by the events of that day, persistently fearing a return of the animal, despite receiving repeated assurances that it is no longer a threat.
The emotional and psychological scars left by the attack have been compounded by difficulties at school. The young boy has described how classmates occasionally mock his missing thumb, calling it “banter”, but these comments often distress him. The presiding judge, Her Honour Nicola Jones, noted poignantly the “cruelty” children of that age can sometimes inflict, particularly on those perceived as different.
Despite medical offers to reconstruct his thumb using a toe, Caio has chosen to avoid further surgery, remembering only too well the pain of his first experience. He now suffers from flashbacks and rarely sleeps unless his mother stays with him and the bedroom door is shut tightly, highlighting the ongoing impact of the trauma on the whole family.
During sentencing, Judge Jones made it clear that the effects of the injury extended well beyond the physical loss and cited these ongoing ramifications as a key reason why the sentence could not be suspended. Ian Parry, who was described as working part-time in a local fish and chip shop, pleaded guilty to the charge of owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. He was sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment, of which half will be served in custody while the remainder will be on licence.
This case has reignited debate across North Wales and beyond about stricter controls for potentially dangerous breeds and the responsibilities owners must bear. Community members have expressed both sympathy for Parry’s family—given that his daughter may have accidentally released the dog—and a general relief that decisive action was taken by police to prevent further harm on that day.
As Caio and his family continue to adjust to their new reality, the incident stands as a stark reminder of the lasting consequences that can result from even a moment’s lapse in supervision of powerful dog breeds. Local authorities have urged all dog owners to review safety measures, especially in households with children, to prevent similar tragedies in future.
While Parry faces his custodial sentence, attention will likely focus in coming months on what more can be done to ensure the safety of children and the responsibilities of those who choose to share their homes with potentially dangerous animals.