UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog which had been used for fighting attacked and injured a man and his dog in a Larkhall garden.
The Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier mix bit Scott McMahon on the body, and Mr McMahon’s dog on the head and body, at a Sunnyside Street address on April 10 this year.
It took three people to restrain the Pit Bull mix which belonged to Kelly McFarlane of nearby Fairholm Road, and a police dog unit was needed to take the animal away.
Last week 33-year-old McFarlane admitted a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Fiscal depute Peter Moyes told Hamilton Sheriff Court that police officers had attended at Ms McFarlane’s home at 6.45pm on April 10 in connection to an unrelated matter.
She was asked where her dog was and she replied that she did not know.
Mr Moyes added that on leaving McFarlane’s home they went to a nearby property in Sunnyside Road at 7.15pm. Once there, they saw a man trying to restrain McFarlane’s dog called Chaz.
The Pit Bull mix then attacked Mr McMahon’s dog in the garden.
Mr McMahon, said Mr Moyes, tried to separate the dogs, but McFarlane’s dog bit Mr McMahon on his right hand.
Mr Moyes added: “It took three people to restrain the dog called Chaz. Mr McMahon’s dog had been bitten as well and there were several puncture wounds to its chest, neck and paws.
“That dog was taken to the emergency vet for treatment. A police dog unit was called to assist in the removal of the dog Chaz.
“The other witnesses tied a small rope around Chaz’s muzzle. They were able to place the dog within a police vehicle.”
When officers attended at McFarlane’s home, Mr Moyes said she had been distressed to find out that her dog had attacked another dog.
Aware that the dog was aggressive, he added, McFarlane had a muzzle for the animal.
There was also an order in place for the dog not to be out without a muzzle, he added.
The fiscal depute also explained that McFarlane had told officers that she had rescued the dog which SHE CLAIMED had previously been used for dog fighting.
Mr McMahon’s dog was treated for multiple puncture wounds to its chest. However, he had no further update on “the full extent” of injuries to the dog.
And Mr McMahon, he pointed out, suffered puncture wounds to his hand.
McFarlane’s agent Sandy Morrison said McFarlane recognised that the matter was a serious one.
He pointed out that the Crown was seeking the dog’s destruction, but asked the court to consider alternatives to it being put down.
Sheriff Marie Smart deferred sentence on McFarlane until June 16 and consideration of a Crown motion for the dog’s destruction.
McFarlane was ordered to appear on that date.
(Daily Record - June 8, 2017)
