Victoria Hewitt’s XL Bully attacked three girls in a frenzy; a judge suspended her prison sentence despite “inadequate” safety measures

 A Norfolk mother has been spared jail after her powerful XL Bully dog mauled three young girls in a terrifying rampage at her home. Victoria Hewitt, 42, received a suspended prison sentence at Norwich Crown Court after her dog Karma went berserk, biting and dragging the children in what the judge described as a horrifying incident.

The attack happened on 7 March 2023 at Hewitt’s then-home on Barham Road in Costessey. Her eight-year-old daughter, a four-year-old, and an 11-year-old friend were present when someone knocked at the door. That single knock triggered the 7.5-stone dog’s violent outburst.

Karma had shown no signs of aggression before, but on that day, she snapped. “The dog first went for the eight-year-old girl,” said prosecutor Chris Youell. Hewitt jumped on Karma, frantically trying to pry her off her daughter. In desperation, she grabbed ham from the fridge to distract the animal, but the attack escalated.

As Karma bit and dragged the girl, the other children screamed on the sofa. The dog then turned on them too. The girls tried to flee, but Karma bit them as they ran for the door. Hewitt managed to wrestle them free and the eight-year-old escaped upstairs to shield her two-year-old brother, who was in his cot.

Hearing the screams, a neighbour rushed in and bravely subdued the dog. Despite being bitten, the neighbour wrestled Karma to the floor and shouted for everyone else to escape. When police arrived, they found Hewitt screaming at them to “shoot the dog.” Karma was later sedated and destroyed.

All three girls suffered puncture wounds. The eight-year-old sustained the worst injuries, including a deep wound down to the bone on her upper right arm. All were hospitalised and have since undergone counselling.

The court heard Karma belonged to Hewitt’s ex-partner, who left the dog with her. Hewitt had attempted to minimise risk, using stairgates and a pen, and muzzling Karma during walks. The dog was usually kept out of the way when guests visited. But Judge Anthony Bate ruled those precautions “inadequate.”

In mitigation, defence barrister Rob Pollington said Hewitt was “extremely remorseful” and had suffered mentally and emotionally since the attack. “No punishment from the court can teach the level of pain and suffering that she herself has put herself through,” he said.

Judge Bate acknowledged Hewitt’s remorse, calling it “profound and genuine,” and praised medical staff for their skill in treating the victims. He sentenced Hewitt to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to complete 20 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

The attack occurred before the February 2025 legal ban on owning an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. Under new rules, unregistered dogs of the breed can be seized, and owners face fines or prosecution.

Karma’s fate was sealed after the attack. The dog was sedated at the scene and later put down. The court heard the attack left the children traumatised, requiring ongoing psychological support.

This case adds to growing concerns around XL Bully dogs, which have been linked to a string of high-profile attacks across the UK. Critics of the breed argue that even with precautions, their sheer strength and unpredictability make them dangerous to keep in family homes.

As Hewitt left court, she showed no signs of celebration — just quiet devastation. Her life, like those of the injured girls, has been permanently changed by the brutal events of that day.