A ‘fighting dog’ ran from its drunk owner and viciously attacked a four-year-old boy.
Joel Bapaga ‘stood by and did nothing’ when the Cane Corso pounced on the youngster, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Shortly before the assault, the 49-year-old had been drunkenly stumbling down the road in Newtown, Birmingham with his dog off the lead.
The animal spotted the child, who was playing with a ball in his front garden, sprinted over and bit him several times.
The child’s father and other family members frantically tried to pull the dog off the boy while Bapaga failed to intervene.
They managed to get the youngster away from the animal but he was left with injuries to his head, hip, buttocks, and leg.
He was taken to hospital, where he received stiches and also underwent surgery.
Doctors said the boy was left traumatised by the attack, which happened on the afternoon of July 13, 2023.
Bapaga had paid £80 for ‘a fighting dog’ that morning, the court heard. It was later destroyed.
Bapaga was arrested and later pleaded guilty to two charges of owning a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control.
Speaking at his sentencing on Thursday, Judge Andrew Smith KC told him: ‘You passed by with a large black dog. I am satisfied you were drunk and not in control.
‘It ran into the front garden and bit [the victim] on multiple occasions including the head.
‘While his father and family members looked to protect him from the attack, you stood by and did nothing.
‘He also sustained injuries to his hip, buttocks and thigh. He remained in hospital for a number of days.’
The judge said the family were terrified the boy might die when they saw the attack unfold.
Papaga escaped jail following his early guilty plea and mental health assessments and was instead sentenced to a hospital order.
The court heard he had suffered a brain injury and PTSD after being attacked in 2021.
The judge said: ‘In prison you would not have access to the special neurological rehabilitation you will be receiving.
‘I am satisfied a hospital order is the most suitable.
‘You will remain in hospital until specialist doctors in charge of your treatment decide you are safe for release.’
Bapaga, described as ‘not a fit and proper person’ to have custody of a dog, was also banned from owning one for 14 years.
The dog, also scratched the boy’s father when he tried to intervene and stop the attack.
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