Karim Jean Gilles has been found guilty of criminal negligence after his pit bull-type dog mauled a child in a Brossard park in September 2015.
The verdict came down Thursday after a two-day trial that started Monday at the courthouse in Longueuil, in Montreal’s south shore.
READ MORE: Verdict expected Thursday in Longueuil dog attack trial
During the trial, Magdalena Biron told the court her daughter, Vanessa, suffered cuts to her face, as well as fractures to her cranium and hand after the dog dragged her several metres by her face.
The girl’s father, Bernard Biron, said the attack left his daughter unable to eat solid food for months.
READ MORE: Accused in Longueuil dog attack trial suggests his dog might have been provoked
“She had to go to school with a device connected to her veins because her brain was infected,” he said.
“Her skull was crushed in the back and the saliva of the dog infected her system.”
Gilles represented himself and did not question any of the Crown’s 12 witnesses, including neighbours who testified that his two dogs were often out in public without a leash or a collar.
WATCH BELOW: LaSalle woman credits pit bull-type for saving her life
Prosecutor Claudie Gilbert argued the accused knew his dogs were dangerous, but didn’t do anything to prevent the attack — his property wasn’t fully fenced in and he knew his dogs often escaped from the yard.
READ MORE: Pit bull bans rarely seem to reduce serious dog bites
In a brief statement on the last day of the trial, Gilles suggested to Quebec court Judge Pierre Belisle his animals might have been provoked.
WATCH BELOW: Attacked by her own dog
“With regard to the incident,” he said, without specifically describing what he was referring to.
“I don’t know if the situation was due to a provocation or if it was totally accidental.”
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
READ MORE: Brossard banning pit bulls in response to attack on 8-year-old girl
The two animals have been euthanized.
— With files from The Canadian Press.