Slow Justice Is No Justice...

Police charged Bernard Valentine, the owner of the dogs, with six counts of owning a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place – one count for each animal that attacked Amelia. Valentine was living in a campervan outside his mum's house two doors down – and the dogs had jumped out. A few months earlier, in December 2022, his dogs had set upon a man walking his Dalmatian in the same place, injuring both.

A familiar refrain. This mother isn't taking it lying down.  

Jade believes her daughter might not have been hurt if police had acted earlier.

A pretty reasonable take, frankly.  

She said: "The victim gave an extremely clear and strong description of the man and the dogs so police were made clear it was Valentine. If the police had done something and arrested him then, then this wouldn't have happened to Amelia but it just seems they have shoved this under the rug. They just let him get away with it. "[The police] are there to protect the public and they failed here. They put my daughter in danger."

Even they couldn't argue against that, and so... 

Greater Manchester Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct when Valentine was charged with the offences in relation to Amelia's attack. Today, the watchdog confirmed its investigation into the conduct of two Greater Manchester Police officers in relation to separate incidents of dog bites in the same street is almost finished. A report will be finalised once the IOPC decides if either officer will face disciplinary proceedings.

Don't rush, or anything, eh? And what of the mutts? 

The dogs are still alive while their breed is being determined.A spokesman for Minshull Street Crown Court said: "Reports being done to confirm the breeds have been delayed, due to an outbreak of a virus at the kennels. It would appear they are still there. A hearing will be held but is not yet scheduled."

'It would appear'..? Don't they know?