Child attacked by off-leash cane corso as drunk owner fails to act; hospital order issued by court

A peaceful summer afternoon in Newtown turned into a nightmare when a four-year-old boy was savagely mauled by a Cane Corso owned by a drunken man who stood by and did nothing.

Joel Bapaga, the man at the centre of the harrowing case, had been walking the powerful dog—bought for just £80—when he allowed it to roam off-lead. On 13 July 2023, with alcohol clouding his judgement, he lost all control as the animal darted into a nearby garden where children played.

The Cane Corso launched a terrifying attack, clamping its jaws into the child’s hip, leg, and head. The young boy’s screams shattered the quiet neighbourhood as parents rushed to save him. His father desperately fought to pull the dog off, trying to protect his son from further injuries. But Bapaga, drunk and disoriented, did nothing.

Birmingham Crown Court later heard how Bapaga’s reckless actions, and subsequent inaction, led to the young boy suffering serious wounds and emotional trauma. A witness described the boy’s injuries as “deep and horrifying,” with blood pouring down his side as he was rushed to hospital.

Instead of jail, Bapaga received a hospital order, a controversial sentence influenced by mental health assessments submitted to the court. The judge acknowledged Bapaga’s mental state and issued the order in the belief that public safety could still be maintained through his confinement in a secure hospital.

The decision sparked anger among some in the Newtown community, where residents are still grappling with the trauma of the attack. “He didn’t even try to stop the dog,” one neighbour said. “That poor boy is scarred for life, and the man just stood there drunk.”

The Cane Corso, a breed known for its strength and power, has become the subject of fresh debate over so-called fighting dogs and the responsibility of their owners. In this case, the dog’s low purchase price—just £80—underscored the lack of safeguards in place to prevent unfit owners from obtaining such dangerous animals.

Under the court order, Bapaga has been banned from owning dogs for the next 14 years. Prosecutors said his conduct represented a “total failure of responsibility,” highlighting how a moment of negligence can have life-altering consequences for victims.

As Bapaga undergoes treatment in a secure mental health facility, the child continues his long road to physical and psychological recovery. His family, still reeling from the attack, issued a short statement through police: “We are grateful our son is alive. But his fear, and our trauma, will never be forgotten.”

The case has reignited calls for stricter regulation of dangerous dog ownership, particularly for individuals with criminal or mental health histories. Animal welfare groups and child safety advocates are urging the government to review licensing requirements and create a national register of banned or restricted breeds.

For now, the incident in Newtown serves as a gut-wrenching reminder of how quickly a peaceful day can descend into horror when responsibility and safety are cast aside. The echoes of that day—screams, snarls, and silence—linger still, as a community struggles to make sense of a tragedy that was wholly preventable.