Man, 61, denies being in charge of dog that mauled girl, 11, and two men

A 61-year-old man has denied being in charge of an XL bully dog that injured an 11-year-old girl and two men.

Farhat Ajaz is said to have been the owner or person in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, named Tyson, in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham on September 9 last year. Ajaz, from Bordesley Close, Birmingham, was given conditional bail at the city's Magistrates' Court on Monday, and told to appear before a Crown Court judge next month.

District Judge David Wain heard that Ajaz, who pleaded not guilty to three counts of being in charge of a "dangerously out of control" dog which caused injury, didn't attend court last week because he was unwell and had breathing problems, Nottinghamshire Live reports.

Try MEN Premium now for FREE... just click here to give it a go.

The identity of the 11-year-old girl, who suffered shoulder and arm injuries and spent a night in hospital, is protected by a court order. Two men also got hurt in the incident.

After the Crown decided not to ask for Ajaz to be kept in custody, District Judge David Wain told Ajaz: "I am imposing a condition of residence that you reside at the address you have given to the court. Secondly, you are not to be in possession or in control of any dog.”

Ajaz, who appeared in court using crutches for support, has been bailed until the next hearing on March 25. West Midlands Police have stated that the dog is currently in secure kennels.