The dog sitter who was walking the pit bull when the attack occurred was convicted of negligence and given a suspended fine. She has also appealed the verdict, said a report on Corriere del Ticino.

The dog’s owner was cleared of any charges since she was not present at the time of the 2009 attack. 

The newspaper said the mother of the young victim believes the dog’s owner also shares part of the responsibility, especially since she appears not have had the appropriate authorisation to keep dangerous dogs. 

The dog sitter was walking the pit bull and other three large dogs and was unable to restrain the animal when it attacked the baby, who was in a stroller.

Reports said the dog, called “Baxter”, is currently being re-educated in a dog training centre and is waiting for a new owner. A decision to put the dog down taken by a judge in 2008 was overturned in 2011.