**Toddler Left with Lifelong Scars after Vicious North Wales Dog Attack; Owners Imprisoned**
A North Wales toddler has been left with permanent and “breathtaking” scars following a savage attack by a family’s Akita dog, prompting a judge to jail the animal’s owners for their failure to prevent the incident. Kayleigh Godbert, aged 39, and Thomas Moir, aged 38, were both sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to owning or being responsible for a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
Mold Crown Court heard harrowing details of the assault, which left the unnamed child with deep wounds to the head and face and requiring urgent hospital care. The identity of the child is protected by court order, a reminder of the sensitivity surrounding victims of such distressing events.
According to the prosecution, Godbert had acquired the Akita via an online marketplace, paying £150 on Pets4Homes. Though initially docile, the animal’s temperament deteriorated in the months prior to the attack. Witnesses gave evidence of an earlier incident in which the dog bit another individual, prompting serious warnings from those close to the owners. It was during this time that a concerned woman cautioned Moir about the dog’s behaviour, telling him plainly that the dog “could not be trusted” and urging its removal from the household.
Despite these warnings, both Godbert and Moir failed to prevent further danger. The dog remained at the property, and months later, it launched the unprovoked attack on the toddler. Emergency services arrived to find the child suffering from multiple bite wounds. Paramedics reported the injuries as especially serious, with six separate bites leaving disfiguring damage.
In mitigation, Godbert’s legal representative, Duncan Bould, claimed that attempts had been made to rehome the dog following its initial display of aggression. Mr Bould argued that his client recognised, too late, the need for the animal to be euthanised for public safety. Moir’s defence noted his struggle with alcohol misuse, revealing that he had remained sober for nine months prior to the case coming to court. However, at the time of the attack, Moir had reportedly been drinking for 18 hours straight and was asleep as the events unfolded.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Simon Mills made it clear that the earlier attack by the Akita should have been an unmistakable warning. He acknowledged limited efforts had been made to control or rehome the animal, but they clearly fell short. The judge stated, “It can’t have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. The injuries this child suffered were not only physically life-altering but traumatising in nature.”
The judge described the harm as “truly breathtaking”, reflecting on medical assessments suggesting the toddler’s scars are becoming more prominent over time. He stressed that the situation was “utterly beyond the defendants’ control” and made a point of criticising their disregard for mounting risks.
Following sentencing, both Godbert and Moir were banned from keeping or owning any dog for the next seven years. The Akita responsible for the incident has since been humanely put down.
Commenting after the case, Detective Constable James Grimwood of North Wales Police highlighted the severity of what had occurred. “This was a horrific incident that sadly led to serious and lasting injuries for a vulnerable child. Both defendants showed little remorse for the impact of their actions. We hope the sentence serves as a clear warning: dogs should never be left unsupervised with children, and any concerns over dangerous dogs must be reported to the authorities immediately.”
As the debate around the management of powerful dog breeds in the UK continues, this case stands as a somber reminder of the grave consequences missed warnings can have. With more families acquiring pets through online sources, experts urge increased vigilance and responsible ownership, reinforced by legal accountability in tragic circumstances such as this.