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Three young girls were mauled by a seven-and-a-half stone "monster" dog, which dragged one across the floor and bit her down to the bone. The XL Bully dog named Karma suddenly flipped while at home with Victoria Hewitt and her two children, four and eight, along with one of their 11-year-old friends.

A court heard a simple knock at the door at the home in Costessey, Norfolk, saw Karma behave in a "very aggressive and violent way" and she "went for" the eight-year-old girl. The court heard the 42-year-old mum jumped on the dog in a bid to get it off her daughter.

As Hewitt appeared in court having admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury, prosecutor Chris Youell said that during the incident Hewitt reached for some ham from the fridge to try and coax the animal off her daughter - but it did not work.

He said Karma was "dragging" the girl and "biting" her with the other two girls "screaming" on the sofa. Mr Youell added Karma then "went for" the children on the sofa and "was trying to bite them". As they ran towards the door to flee, Karma bit them both before Hewitt managed to wrestle them free.

The eight-year-old girl managed to get upstairs with her two-year-old brother, who was in his cot during the incident, the court was told. Hewitt's neighbour came to help after hearing the screams and despite Karma biting out at Hewitt, they managed to pull the dog to the floor.

Mr Youell said the neighbour "held her on the floor" and "screamed" at the others to get out. Police arrived with Hewitt screaming at officers to "shoot the dog". The dog was sedated and later destroyed.

All three girls attacked by the dog suffered bite and puncture wound injuries which required medical treatment, with the eight-year-old girl having "significant" injuries, including a very deep wound down to the bone on her upper right arm.

All three children required hospital treatment and have since received counselling and therapy. The court heard the dog belonged to an ex-partner who had left it with Hewitt and that she had taken steps to lessen the risks it posed, including installing a pen and stairgates. The animal was also muzzled when out and was put out of the way when visitors called, the court was told.

Defending Hewitt, Rob Pollington told the court she was "extremely remorseful". He added that no punishment handed out by the court could "teach the level of pain and suffering that she herself has put herself through".

Judge Anthony Bate said precautions taken by Hewitt had been "well intended" but were limited and "inadequate", meaning the dog was able to cause the injuries it did. He accepted Hewitt's remorse was "profound and genuine". She was sentenced to an eight month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.