Overview

• A Manchester Crown Court jury found Mark Twigg and Joanne Bedford not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter but guilty under the Dangerous Dogs Act for allowing guard dogs to fatally maul their son, three-year-old Daniel Twigg.
• The couple were caring for eight untrained guard dogs at Carr Farm in Milnrow, including a Cane Corso and a Boerboel owned by family friend Matthew Brown.
• Prosecutors relied on CCTV footage, a 999 call recording, and pathologist Dr Phillip Lumb’s report confirming head and neck injuries from dog bites as the cause of death.
• RSPCA inspectors and Rochdale children’s services had issued warnings about the dogs’ aggression and unsafe living conditions before the May 15, 2022 attack.
• Twigg and Bedford have been granted bail pending an October 10 sentencing hearing.