Girl, 12, lucky to be alive after suffering ‘life changing injuries’ in a horror XL Bully attack
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl is lucky to be alive after suffering “life changing injuries” in a horror XL Bully attack.
Ayva Batkin was left “inches from death” after the vicious dog sank its teeth into her arm leaving her with horror bite marks in Brynmawr, South Wales last month.
But keen martial arts fan Ayva has vowed to fight back despite having a huge chunk taken from her arm and undergoing plastic surgery.
Ayva is already back training her kicks in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do.
Her brave father tackled the dog which was not on a lead and did not have a muzzle after the horror mauling.
Ayva has now had skin and ligaments taken from her leg by surgeons to replace the damage done to her arm and faces a lengthy recovery.
Her fellow martial artists at Valleys Tang Soo Do – where she attends with brother Logan – held a fundraiser of 50 fancy dress fights to raise money to boost her recovery.
Instructor Master Angus Rogers, said: “Before the attack the Ayva and Logan never missed a class, taking their training very seriously.
“It was humbling to hear form Ayva’s mum that one of the first things she said after her ordeal was that she’d be missing her Tang Soo Do classes – this is a true testament to Ayva’s tenacious character and determination not to let what happened affect her.
“With this in mind we wanted to make a small gesture to show just how much she means to us as a club, as she’s already back at the dojang training solely using kicks.
“She is an inspiration to other youngsters in helping to overcome adversity.
“We hope to raise enough funds for Ayva and her family to have a nice day out to try and make them forget what happened.”
Ayva’s mum Louisa said: “My daughter is the definition of bravery.
“While her arm was severely damaged one of the first things she said to me was she was so glad it was her and not her brothers, knowing especially her younger brother is so small.
“She is my inspiration and any person should aspire to have her bravery and get up and go – which has made me forget she is only 12! I am so proud of her.”
Louisa previously said Ayva, of Nantyglo, had got out of the car when the dog bolted towards her and attacked.
She said: “My daughter had just got out of the car with her dad when the dog came out of the blue. I was at home and a neighbour came to tell me something had happened.
“My daughter is going to be scarred physically and mentally for life, a few inches higher or a couple of millimetres deeper she would be dead.
“I am a dog owner myself and can’t fathom how people have such a blatant disregard for life. I just want others to realise that they need to be responsible.
“I also want people who let their kids out to make sure they tell them to be extra aware of their surroundings as this happened in a split second and with an adult around. Smaller children wouldn’t have had a chance.”
Two people were arrested following the attack on October 7 and the dog was put down.
Gwent Police said at the time: “Officers attended and a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital with life changing injuries.
“The dog was seized by officers and will be destroyed. No other animals were involved in the attack.
“A 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, both from the Brynmawr area, have been arrested on suspicion of owning or possessing a dog bred for fighting and owning or possessing a dog dangerously out of control.”