A farmer has been imprisoned following a horrifying dog assault on a teenage girl at the same rural property where a three-year-old boy was tragically killed by a separate canine a year later. Matthew Brown, aged 52, the owner and operator of Carr Farm in Milnrow, Rochdale, was found guilty of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control that inflicted injury during the incident involving the 17-year-old victim in April 2021.
Details of the Teenage Girl's Ordeal
The adolescent was walking past the farm on Tunshill Lane when she was savagely attacked by a Tibetan Mastiff, sustaining a large and V-shaped wound to her arm. Brown had entered a not guilty plea regarding his control over the Tibetan Mastiff, which has since been rehomed, but he was convicted in February and received a 15-month prison sentence on Thursday. Additionally, he was disqualified from owning a dog for a period of five years.
Victim's Emotional Impact Statement
In a victim statement reviewed by the court, the young woman, who was a teenager at the time, expressed that the event has left her with permanent scars, both physical and psychological. She recounted, 'Before I was attacked by this dog, I used to enjoy going out and being active. I would regularly go on walks on public footpaths and enjoy being out in the surrounding area. I live in an area where the countryside is on my doorstep and I really enjoyed going out with friends and family to enjoy this.'
However, since this incident, I do not like going out on my own. I also feel apprehensive about going out with friends and family. When I do have to leave the house, I feel that I am anxious and concerned. I am always worried that I may be attacked by a dog, she added, highlighting her ongoing fear and anxiety.
The victim, who gave birth to a daughter in 2022, further stated that the attack 'has had a negative impact on me being a parent and also had an impact on her being able to enjoy the countryside.' She lamented, 'I should be able to enjoy the area in which I live and give my daughter the experiences I had as a child. However, I feel like this incident has taken this away from me. I am always anxious about taking my daughter to the park and doing normal activities with her as a parent. This has not only had an impact on me, but also an impact on my family.'
Connection to Fatal Toddler Attack
Approximately one year after the teenage girl's assault, in May 2022, three-year-old Daniel Twigg lost his life after a Cane Corso launched what was described as a 'furious and prolonged' attack at the same farm. His parents, Joanne Bedford and Mark Twigg, were both convicted of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury in relation to their son's death and were imprisoned in October.
Bedford received a sentence of three years and six months, while Twigg was jailed for two years and eight months, with both being disqualified from keeping dogs for 15 years. The couple, previously residing in Blackley, were acquitted of manslaughter charges. Police investigations revealed that the dog involved was one of eleven kept on the property, which the family had moved into just two months prior to the incident.
Daniel was reported to have entered a dog pen unsupervised, where Sid and another dog were housed in poor conditions. He suffered multiple severe injuries to his head and neck and sadly passed away on the same day.
Broader Implications and Farm History
This case underscores significant concerns about animal control and safety at Carr Farm, linking two separate violent incidents involving different dogs within a short timeframe. The farm has now been associated with both a non-fatal attack causing lasting trauma and a fatal mauling, raising questions about oversight and responsibility in rural settings.
The judicial outcomes for Brown and the toddler's parents highlight the legal repercussions for failing to manage dangerous dogs, with sentences aimed at preventing future tragedies. The victim's statement poignantly illustrates the long-term psychological effects of such attacks, affecting not only the individuals directly involved but also their families and community interactions.
