A man has denied two charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act after police officers were bitten while responding to reports of a Covid house party.
Officers swooped on a property on Sluie Drive in Dyce on the evening of April 3 last year in response to a report of a gathering in breach of coronavirus regulations.
But three officers had to be taken to hospital after being attacked by two dogs at the scene.
Kevin McDonald, previously appeared in private at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in relation to the incident, when no plea was entered.
But now the 40-year-old’s case has called in open court for the first time and he entered pleas of not guilty to three charges.
He is alleged to have been the owner or in charge of a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, named Bella, which was dangerously out of control and bit two police officers to the body, to their injury and permanent disfigurement.
A further charge alleged McDonald was the owner or in charge of another Staffordshire bull terrier, called Buddha, which was dangerously out of control and bit another officer on the body to his injury.
Three officers taken to hospital
McDonald is also accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by acting in an aggressive manner, struggling with police officers, attempting to prevent them from entering his property, shouting, swearing and threatening violence.
At the earlier private hearing, McDonald also faced a fourth charge of contravening coronavirus restrictions or requirements, however, this allegation did not appear on the charge sheet at this calling of the case.
McDonald, of Sluie Drive, Dyce, was not personally present at the new hearing, but solicitor Lisa Riley entered pleas of not guilty on his behalf.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan fixed a pre-trial hearing for the case in November.
Five others have also appeared separately in court facing charges in connection with the incident. The case against them is ongoing and will next call in September.
At the time, a Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a report relating to a gathering at a property on Sluie Drive in Aberdeen around 9.45pm on Saturday, April 3.
“Three officers were taken to hospital following the incident and were released following treatment.”
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