UNITED KINGDOM -- Two men delivering to a Prestonpans home were bitten by the same dog - before its owner then gave the animal away to an unknown person despite its dangerous behaviour.
Last Wednesday at Haddington Sheriff Court, a sheriff said he took a "very dim view" of owner Scott Howie's actions as the Staffordshire bull terrier - named Panther - could be facing destruction.
On May 14, Daniel Shepard, a fast food delivery driver, attended Howie's home on McGregor Pend.
"He could hear dogs barking inside," said Kate Hart, procurator fiscal depute.
"A man opened the door and a white dog ran to the door and tried to jump up at the complainer, but the dog was held back by the owner.
"While he was doing this, a different dog ran out and jumped at the complainer, and as it did so, it bit him on the right bicep. The owner shouted at the dogs at the time but made no apology."
Mr Shepard suffered two puncture wounds and grazing on his bicep, as well as substantial bruising. He was treated by a GP, and given a tetanus injection and antibiotics.
Meanwhile, at about 10.30am on July 17, postman Thomas Harvey was delivering a parcel to Howie's home.
"[The front door was ajar and] the black Staffordshire terrier came from within and jumped at him and bit him on the back of his left hand," said Ms Hart.
"That caused a puncture wound which was bleeding heavily. The accused offered to clean the wound but the complainer declined."
Mr Harvey later had the wound cleaned and dressed at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Howie, 22, admitted being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control on both occasions.
Pleas of not guilty were accepted by the Crown to two further charges - in which it was alleged that the dog had lunged at James Wilson and bit him on the hand on June 27, and attacked a dog belonging to Andrew Reid before biting Mr Reid on the hand on July 5.
Howie's solicitor said that he had got the black Staffie from an "acquaintance" in Sheffield but it was no longer in his possession.
"He tells me he gave it away mid-July," said the lawyer. "The dog was taken back to Sheffield and given away to a different acquaintance. Neither [their] name or address are known."
Howie believed that the male Staffie may have been trying to protect the other dog, which was female.
Sheriff Peter Braid said he could not be satisfied that the dog was "not a danger to the public".
He continued the case for background reports and for further consideration, but told Howie: "I take a very dim view of you giving the dog away in such a manner that you don't know where it is.
"It is a matter of concern for public safety that this dog is still at large. I would suggest you wrack your brains [to help find the new owner]. I also need to consider your fitness to have any kind of pet, particularly dogs."
Howie was released on bail and returns to court on October 10.
(East Lothian Courier - Sept 14, 2012)
