A family dog who bit a Laurencekirk tradesman leaving him needing medical treatment is facing death unless it can be proven he’s not a danger to the public.
Bailey, a Staffordshire pitbull cross, left the internet fitter needing antibiotics and a tetanus jab after he sunk his teeth into his leg.
Bailey’s owner, Brian Scott, had him on a chain lead at the time after the worker expressed concerns about the dog’s behaviour, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Kate Scarborough said the incident happened outside Scott’s home in Fordoun, near Laurencekirk, on July 22 2021 after two tradesmen attended to install internet equipment.
Warned dog could be ‘a bit iffy’
The pair had already asked that Bailey be removed from the house after seeing the then five-year-old dog jumping up at the window and barking loudly on their arrival.
“The accused agreed to this and advised that Bailey could be ‘a bit iffy’,” the fiscal said.
“He left with Bailey on a chain lead and took him into the garden.”
As the men worked in the front garden, one chatted with Scott, 31, while the other walked towards his van.
But as he did so Bailey “lunged towards him”, pulling Scott forward on the chain, and sank his teeth into the man’s left calf.
“The dog’s mouth was completely wrapped around his leg and the dog bit down through the jeans that he was wearing,” the fiscal said.
“The dog was described as shaking his head and growling for around five seconds.
“It did puncture the skin and the leg was bleeding. The accused pulled the dog off using the lead after a few seconds.”
Bite victim had to go to hospital
Bailey’s victim treated himself at the scene with a first aid kit to dress his wound which was “bleeding considerably”.
Scott meanwhile placed the dog in his nearby parked car. It was noted the vehicle was rocking back and forth as Bailey “bounded around” inside.
The man went to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he was given a tetanus jab and antibiotics before he later reported the attack to police.
Upon being cautioned and charged Scott told officers: “It’s a joke”.
Bailey facing being put down
In court, Scott, of Newcake Cottages, Fordoun, admitted having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.
His defence Neil McRobert said there’d been no incidents since and asked for sentencing to be deferred for the creation of an expert report on the dog.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge set a sentencing date for next month and told him: “The court must order the destruction unless it is satisfied the dog doesn’t pose a danger to public safety.”
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