Schoolgirl, 10, scarred for life after being viciously attacked by neighbour’s dog in front of horrified dad
A SCHOOLGIRL was left scarred for life after being mauled by a neighbour’s dog while she was out playing.
Lilly, who was 10 at the time of her attack, had been kicking a football about with pals opposite her Bridgend home in September 2023.
The horror unfolded as Lily waited for a friend outside her neighbour’s front door.
A Staffordshire bull terrier cross breed charged out of the house and savagely bit her on the face.
The 10-year-old had more than 10 puncture wounds on her hand as she tried to protect herself.
Lily’s serious facial injuries required surgery and left permanent scarring.
Her dad Alex O’Byrne recalled the bone chilling moment he heard his daughter’s screams of terror.
He told Wales Online: “We rushed outside to see Lilly coming away from my neighbour’s house with blood coming from her face and her hand. She was screaming ‘I was attacked. The dog bit me.'”
Lily was rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital as police were called to the scene of her attack.
The dog, owned by Cody O’Brien, was seized and destroyed the same day.
O’Brien later admitted owning a dog that was dangerously out of control causing injury at Cardiff Magistrates Court and was fined £666.
Alex told how Lily was left with “pronounced scarring on her face” which has knocked her confidence.
“She is dealing with it really well, but every now and again you’ll notice her sitting and looking in the mirror, especially if she’s on her way to a party or an event,” he added.
The dad explained how despite the attack, Lily is now able to be around dogs – including their own family pet Snapple.
But the schoolgirl becomes uncomfortable if the animals start to bark.
And, Alex explained how his daughter hasn’t received counselling from the NHS yet due to long waiting lists.
He was also shocked his family received no compensation because the dangerous dog owner had no pet insurance.
The parent has now called for a change in the law to require all dog owners to have third-party insurance.
This would see anyone affected by a dog attack covered.
In the meantime, Alex launched a GoFundMe to raise money for Lily’s counselling and scar surgery.
He wrote: “I would like to raise enough money for Lilly to have the option to elect for further surgery to reduce the scarring on her face, or to go to therapy via private medical practices if she feels things are getting on top of her.
“Most of all I want her to feel that people care and that she is not just left by society to fend for herself after such a traumatic incident.”
Since the attack, Lily has thrown herself into football, which Alex said has become her escape.