Mother’s French Bulldog known as Boss bit off her child son’s toes – after which she tried to cowl it up
A mother pretended her newborn son was mauled by a stranger’s dog after her own French bulldog called Boss ‘bit off’ his toes.
Caitlin Powell, 20, plotted the cover-up with her then-partner, Aaron Newsome, 24, after Boss ‘jumped up’ and mauled the 26-day-old infant’s left foot.
The pair, who were questioned by police after medics at Ormskirk Hospital raised alarm bells about the child’s injury, claimed their son had been attacked by an unknown dog at a bus stop on October 4, 2023.
However, officers grew suspicious after Newsome, of Evington in Skelmersdale, became ‘angry and irate’ at the suggestion police would examine his phone.
A search of the device revealed messages showing the story had been fabricated by the couple, along with Powell’s father, Carl Powell.
Last month, Powell pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and overseeing a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury. Her sentencing was adjourned until Boss – who could not be found by authorities until now – was located.
At Liverpool Crown Court today, Powell, of Bootle, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 15 months, and ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation days. She was also disqualified from owning dogs for 15 years.
The court also heard Boss will not be put down despite the attack, after Judge Gary Woodhall ruled he could remain alive provided strict safety conditions are met.
Caitlin Powell (pictured) leaving Liverpool Crown Court last month. The 20-year-old pretended her newborn son was mauled by a stranger’s dog after her own dog Boss bit the infant’s toes
One of Caitlin Powell’s dogs. It is not clear whether this is the dog who mauled the baby’s toes
Aaron Newsom (pictured) plotted the cover-up with Powell, asking her to ‘stick’ to their story during police questioning
At the trial last month at Liverpool Crown Court, it was heard that Newsome had asked Powell to ‘stick’ to their story to police and say she ‘walked over the bridge by Lidl and it was the bus stop by the church.’
Powell ‘continued to insist the baby was bitten by a stranger’s dog.’
However, she later confessed to authorities it was Boss, not an unknown dog, that ‘jumped up and bitten the child while he was crying,’ and that she ‘panicked’ in the aftermath.
The baby suffered injuries to his left toes which resulted in one toe being amputated. He remained in hospital for 12 days and ‘appeared to be almost completely healed.’
Newsome was not present at the time of the attack.
Powell had been living with Newsome and her father Carl Powell, 47, in Southport at the time of the incident, along with five dogs including Boss.
Carl Powell later told police his daughter called him and said ‘his grandson’s toes had been bitten off,’ and that he had taken them to hospital.
Text messages exchanged between Carl Powell and Newsome were shown to the court, including one in which Carl Powell claimed he had thrown Boss ‘in the river.’
Colin Powell (pictured) with one of his dogs. The family had five dogs in the home at the time of the attack
Powell’s father Carl Powell (pictured) was also enmeshed in the conspiracy to hide the attack
In later messages, he said, ‘someone was going to have him,’ and it was later discovered he had given the French bulldog to a woman who was unaware of the attack.
Powell, Newsome and Carl Powell all pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Powell also pleaded guilty to overseeing a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury.
Newsome was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 15 months, while Carl Powell received a 15-month suspended sentence.
Powell’s sentencing was adjourned after Judge Gary Woodhall ruled it should not take place until Boss had been located.
He was said to be under the care of a new owner, Rebecca Cahill, who failed to appear in court despite multiple attempts to contact her.
Yesterday, prosecutor Nick Cockrell said Boss had since been recovered by the dog warden and was currently in the care of the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home.
No further concerns had been raised about the dog’s behaviour.
Caitlin Powell posted a picture of a young child with a dog at it’s feet on her social media after the attack. It is not clear whether this is Boss
Mr Cockrell said: ‘The harm caused was serious, there’s no suggesting otherwise. But it was some time ago. It’s become increasingly an isolated incident.
‘When Boss was recovered from the conditions he had been found in from January 8, his behaviour was impeccable.’
The court heard Boss had previously been seized by police and later returned to Ms Cahill’s care – something officers would not have done if they believed the dog was dangerous.
Judge Woodhall imposed a contingent destruction order, meaning Boss will not be put down provided his owner complies with specific safety conditions.
He must be kept under proper control at all times, microchipped, insured, registered with a vet and neutered. He must also be walked on a lead no longer than 1.5m while in public.
Sentencing Powell, Judge Woodhall said: ‘I have no doubt your actions were driven out of panic and shock and concerns for your parenting position. But as a mother your primary concern should have been protecting your son and ensuring that dog didn’t pose a risk to anyone else.
‘The dog was obtained from Facebook from someone you didn’t know. You exhibited a lack of insight into the long-term implications for your son.
‘I have read about your relationship difficulties. You are no longer in a relationship with your co-accused (Aaron Newsome). Last year you gave birth to a second child by a different father.
‘Both your children were fostered outside the immediate family with social services looking at impermanent removal.
‘There were negative parenting assessments. You have almost certainly lost (custody of) your son.’
