An 11-year-old girl has been left with physical and emotional scars after being mauled by a neighbour's Chow Chow in a horrific attack in Bradford. Hawwa-Jannat Ibrahim was collecting a parcel from a neighbour's house when the dog escaped and chased her into her own home, biting her on the living room floor in front of her baby sister.
Attack Details
The incident occurred in March 2025 on Compton Street, Bradford. The Chow Chow, a sturdy Chinese breed, broke out of the neighbour's home and pursued the youngster down the street. Hawwa-Jannat was rushed to hospital, where her wounds were glued, leaving a permanent scar on her inner leg. She struggled to climb stairs due to pain and missed two weeks of school.
Mother's Criticism of New Laws
Sofia Mehrban, 38, the girl's mother, has blasted upcoming government legislation that would bar adults from leaving children under 12 alone with dogs like XL Bullys. She argues the law does not address cases where a dog escapes and attacks, as her daughter was not left alone with the animal. 'This was not a case of irresponsible parenting. It was a case of a dangerous dog being allowed to escape and seriously injure a child,' she said.
The dog was seized by police but later returned to the owners under conditions: installing a baby gate, putting up a warning sign, and attending a dog training course. Sofia expressed frustration, stating that authorities did not act decisively and that her daughter remains terrified. She wants the dog removed or euthanized.
Police Response
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed that officers attended the scene on 26 March 2025. A statement was not taken initially due to operational commitments, but a crime was recorded on 28 March. The dog was seized on 1 April, and the owner received a conditional caution for being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. Compliance checks have shown all conditions met.
Sofia said her daughters cannot live next to a dangerous dog. Hawwa-Jannat is petrified of the dog's barking, and her two-year-old sister fears the dog will enter their home. The family feels imprisoned in their own house.
