THE owner of cross-bred American pitbulls, which mauled a seven-year-old girl, has been banned from keeping dogs for three years.

Rodney Haynes, aged 35, of Boundfield Road, Catford, told Croydon Crown Court he only lost sight of the trio of dogs for a few seconds.

But Naomi Gregory, who was playing on an area of grass outside her home, also in Boundfield Road, was set upon by the dogs, Bow, Thor and Sox, on August 13 last year.

She was saved when a woman in a first-floor flat heard screams and saw what was going on. Tracey Reid then ran downstairs, opened the door and managed to get the girl inside.

Naomi’s mother Caroline McConnachie said her daughter was shaking with fear, had marks on her body and blood on her clothes and legs. She was taken to Lewisham Hospital.

A jury found Haynes guilty on three charges of having a dog dangerously out of control.

He was banned from keeping dogs for three years, fined £300 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the youngster.