AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD was mauled by a dangerous dog.

She had been left alone with the Bull Mastiff despite being attacked just fifteen minutes earlier.

She spent three days in hospital, needed an operation under general anaesthetic and multiple stitches after being bitten in the face.

Amos Lee-Taylor, 47, of Central Parade, Clacton and the parents of the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, left her alone with six-year-old Bull Mastiff Alfie before hearing screams and returning to find her covered in blood.

Lee-Taylor admitted being the owner and in charge of a dog dangerously out of control when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

On November 15 last year the family were at Lee-Taylor’s house visiting.

Wayne Ablett, prosecuting, said: “She was stroking Alfie and he raised his paw and caught her on the cheek.

“It was seen as playful.

“15 minutes later she was left by herself with the dog. Her parents were outside with her grandfather.

“They heard screaming and went back in.

“There was blood all over her face.

“She had stood up to see her mum and the dog jumped up and bit her face.”

The girl had puncture wounds to her face, several stitches near her eye and injuries to her chin.

Lee-Taylor has already put the dog down and escaped with a fine.

He was fined £100, ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Chairman of the bench Michael Ferrier said: “Though we accept there was a significant level of injury to the child the level of culpability in this case is low.

“Both parents and yourself left the child but in my view this is more of an accident, but the fact remains you were the owner of the dog.

“You have demonstrated a responsible attitude by having the dog put down.”