A man has appeared in court charged in connection with an incident during which an 11-year-old boy was bitten by an XL Bully dog.

Tashkin Ali, 28, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to being in charge
of a dog dangerously out of control at a hearing at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 4.

It's alleged the XL Bully was dangerously out of control during an incident in Cedar Street, Blackburn, on November 18, 2023, which resulted in injuries to the child.

Ali is also charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a baseball bat, arising out of the same incident in Cedar Street.

He gave no indication of a plea for this charge.

The court heard how on November 18 the child was playing with a friend in the street when he was grabbed from behind by the animal.

Witnesses managed to get the boy away from the dog and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

Concluding the hearing, Deputy District Judge Anna Moran ruled that her powers in the magistrates' court were insufficient to deal with the case, and Ali was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court where he is next due to appear on July 2.