A Belgian Malinois named Scooby is facing destruction after attacking an eight-year-old girl at a busy Folkestone market, leaving her with lasting scars. The incident, which took place on Sandgate Road, saw Scooby leap at the young girl as she wandered the market stalls, resulting in injuries to her face and abdomen. In a heart-stopping scene, the girl’s father gave chase after the dog’s owner, Mohammed Kadir, who attempted to flee. During this frantic pursuit, the father also suffered a bite, leaving him with a scar.
This wasn’t Scooby’s first offence; the dog had previously lunged at a police officer’s wrist, leading to a conditional order for the dog to be strictly controlled in public. However, another lapse at the market last year saw Kadir fail to maintain control, resulting in serious consequences.
In court, Kadir faced charges for allowing his dog to be dangerously out of control, to which he pleaded guilty. Despite arguments from the defence that the dog’s long nails caused the injuries, it was emphasised that the risk to public safety was undeniable. The court recognised the severity of repeated incidents involving Scooby, leading to Kadir receiving a six-month suspended jail sentence. In addition, he must pay £100 in compensation to both the girl and her father and is banned from owning dogs for five years.
Tragically, the decision was made for Scooby to be put down due to the risks posed to the public. In the aftermath, it’s a sombre reminder of the responsibility that comes with owning and controlling pets, especially in public spaces.