A woman has been ordered to pay her friend’s baby £150 after her American Akita attacked it.
Katarzyna Kulaszewska had been out for a stroll with her friend and their children and pet dogs at Tillydrone Community Centre when the incident happened.
Her friend’s one-year-old daughter, attempting to walk, stumbled into the sizeable animal, named Dexter, which responded by biting and latching onto the baby.
The child was left with bruising and two puncture wounds following the attack.
And Kulaszewska, 33, has now been warned, if her dog is not kept on a fixed lead and muzzled in public at all times, it will be destroyed.
‘Toddler tottered towards Dexter and fell towards him’
Fiscal depute Stephanie Cardow told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 2.30pm on March 21 2022.
Dexter was on a fixed lead at the time but was not wearing a muzzle.
Mrs Cardow said: “Dexter lunged towards the complainer and bit her to the left side of her torso.
“He latched on for about five seconds before the complainer’s mother was able to get her away.”
‘I’m still concerned that the dog has attacked a small child’
The child was taken to hospital and found to have suffered two puncture wounds as well as bruising.
Kulaszewska, of Papermill Gardens, Aberdeen, pled guilty to being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control and bit a child to her injury.
Defence agent Leonard Burkinshaw said there had been no issues with Dexter prior or since the matter.
He explained that his client and the injured child’s mother are friends and frequently meet up and go for walks with their kids and pets.
Mr Burkinshaw said: “The incident occurred when the toddler tottered towards Dexter and fell towards him and he got her in his mouth.”
He said the group continue socialising together and that Dexter was never taken away from Kulaszewska at any time.
Following the incident, Kulaszewska has ensured Dexter wears a muzzle as well as a fixed lead when out for walks.
‘The dog will be destroyed if you don’t adhere to these measures’
He added that an expert report concluded that Dexter is not a danger and that Kulaszewska is a responsible owner.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge told Kulaszewska: “In light of the report obtained by Mr Burkinshaw, I am satisfied that he dog doesn’t constitute a danger to public safety.
“However, I’m still concerned that the dog has attacked a small child.
“It doesn’t matter how well-behaved the dog is around children normally, on this occasion the dog attacked a child.
“I’m going to order you to keep your dog muzzled and on a fixed lead when it’s in public places.
“The dog will be destroyed if you don’t adhere to these measures.”
Sheriff Hodge also imposed a £470 fine and ordered Kulaszewska to pay the child involved £150 in compensation.
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