Stamford Hill dog owner sentenced after girl, 8, attacked

Berkan Erecer’s brown pit bull dog escaped from a car and attacked a young girl who was playing with a friend in Stamford Hill on May 5 last year. 

The dog jumped on her and bit her on the leg multiple times, leaving bite marks and scars.

Erecer, 22, of Stamford Hill, appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Thursday (November 22) after he pleaded guilty to possession of a fighting dog and being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused injury. 

The court heard the young girl and her friend had been to get an ice cream then went to a communal area outside her friend’s house to play.  

She was playing with a bubble dispenser, which she said might have been what caused the dog to act in the way it did. 

Prosecutor Emily Timcke said the dog ran at her and bit her knee from behind, then jumped on her and bit her leg multiple times.  

“I tried getting up but didn’t want to run away because I thought the dog would chase me,” she said. 

Erecer intervened to pull the dog away while his brother carried the young girl to safety. 

Reading the girl’s victim impact statement, Ms Timcke said: “At first I was really scared, I had to have Calpol every night and morning for the pain.  

“It affected me because when me and my friends go outside we have to go away from where it happened because even though the owner now keeps it on the lead the dog doesn’t have a muzzle.  

“When I see other dogs it has affected how I see them. I feel nervous and scared."

The court previously heard a victim impact statement from the girl’s mum, who said her daughter began hiding behind her when she sees a dog.  

But she added that: “She has become very brave, and although she won’t go near dogs she won’t hide behind me anymore.” 

The court heard that DPD driver Erecer has no previous convictions and deeply regrets what happened. 

He said he didn’t know his dog was a banned breed. 

The dog continued to live with Erecer for a year until it was taken away in May this year. 

Erecer pictured leaving court (Image: NQ) District Judge Holland told him: “This is clearly a serious matter, not least because of the age of the person attacked. 

“But you did intervene and pull the dog away, which is to your credit. This could have been worse if you didn’t do that. 

“It also seems this was a momentary lapse in attention.” 

He sentenced Erecer to a 12-month community order including just 60 hours of unpaid work. 

Judge Holland said: “It’s only 60 because I want you to be available to work for DPD because I want you to pay the child who was bitten by the dog £1,200. 

“It seems to me that it’s more appropriate for your money to go to her than for it to go to the state.” 

It cost £6,800 to kennel the dog for almost 200 days and this money will be paid by the public purse. 

Judge Holland told Erecer: “This seems to be a fairly lenient sentence, you know there was a risk of you going to prison today. 

“It was lenient for the reasons I have already given but also because I am going to take your dog away.” 

He made a destruction order, meaning the dog will be put down.