Girl suffers 'life changing injuries' after being mauled by XL Bully

A 12-year-old girl who was mauled by a XL Bully had to undergo plastic surgery after she was left with 'life changing injuries' following the attack.

The vicious dog left Ayva Batkin 'inches from death' after it bit her arm. 

Her brave father tackled the dog - which was not on a lead and did not have a muzzle -  during the terrifying attack  in Brynmawr, South Wales, last month.

Ayva was left with horrifying bite marks which meant she had to have skin and ligaments taken from her leg by surgeons to replace the damage done to her arm. 

According to Ayva's mother the 12-year-old was getting out of the car when the dog ran towards her and attacked her. 

She said:  'My daughter is going to be scarred physically and mentally for life, a few inches higher or a couple of millimetres deeper she would be dead.

'I am a dog owner myself and can't fathom how people have such a blatant disregard for life. I just want others to realise that they need to be responsible.'

'I also want people who let their kids out to make sure they tell them to be extra aware of their surroundings as this happened in a split second and with an adult around. Smaller children wouldn't have had a chance.'

She added: 'My daughter is the definition of bravery. While her arm was severely damaged one of the first things she said to me was she was so glad it was her and not her brothers, knowing especially her younger brother is so small.

'She is my inspiration and any person should aspire to have her bravery and get up and go - which has made me forget she is only 12! I am so proud of her.'

Ayva is a keen martial arts fan and is back training her kicks in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do.

Her fellow martial artists at Valleys Tang Soo Do - where she attends with brother Logan - held a fundraiser of 50 fancy dress fights to raise money to help her recovery.

Instructor Master Angus Rogers, said:'We wanted to make a small gesture to show just how much she means to us as a club, as she's already back at the dojang training solely using kicks.

'She is an inspiration to other youngsters in helping to overcome adversity.

Gwent Police said at the time, 'Officers attended and a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital with life changing injuries.

'The dog was seized by officers and will be destroyed. No other animals were involved in the attack.

'A 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both from the Brynmawr area, have been arrested on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control.'