Victim still haunted by dog mauling nightmare
Prisoner of her torment as pit bull terrier owner behind bars
The victim of a horrific dog mauling in Wishaw has claimed she is the one who has been given a life sentence as the teenage owner of the dog was this week put behind bars.
Brave Elaine McAllister slammed the sentence of Josh Miller after the 19-year-old was sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Miller appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday having already admitted being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog in Caledonian Road in July.
Miller allowed pet pit bull terrier Nala to lunge at Mrs McAllister, bite her, pull her clothing, pull her to the ground, and caused her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Upon learning the sentence, Elaine said: “There’s no justice as far as I’m concerned. He has already served some of his sentence on remand and he will be out in a few months as he will only serve half of his sentence.
“I’m so angry about this. I have been in constant pain ever since this attack.
“The only place I feel safe is in my own home. I don’t go out anymore.
“I feel like I’m the one who has been given a life sentence. The trauma of what happened will never leave me.”
Elaine, of Allershaw Place, was leaving the Day Today store in Caledonian Road on July 25 when the dog pounced on her.
The whole incident was captured on CCTV which showed the vicious animal attacking Elaine.
Customers from the shop and those driving past the incident rushed to come to Elaine’s aid.
She was taken to Wishaw General Hospital and revealed she had been close to death.
She said: “I was in hospital for three days. The doctor told me I was lucky as it had got to my artery I would be dead. “If those people hadn’t helped I would be dead.” As well as sending Miller to jail, Sheriff Ray Small banned the teenager from owning or keeping a dog for 10 years. The dog has been destroyed. Sheriff Small said: “This is a serious matter and I could jail you for five years but I will take a step back from imposing anything like that.
“You were also told by the SSPCA A inspector that the dog was dangerous s so taking all of that into account, thee only disposal available is custody.
“This dog was effectively a lethall weapon.”
Elaine is now seeking counselling after her terrifying ordeal.
She added: “I have to wait until six months after the attack to get counselling. I am really struggling at the moment. I think about what happened every single day.