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Children’s author claims he was bitten twice on leg by Dobermann while out for a cycle

Children's author Mark Boyde with his partner Jan Liddell
Children's author Mark Boyde with his partner Jan Liddell

A children’s author gave evidence in a north court yesterday in the trial of a man accused of allowing his dog to attack.

Mark Boyde told Fort William Sheriff Court that he shouted “a few choice words – not ones you will find in my books” at a Dobermann dog he claimed attacked him as he was out for a cycle.

The trial against Dobermann owner, Kevin Bruce, 44, of Balcary,West Tirindrish, Spean Bridge, collapsed through lack of evidence.

Mr Bruce had denied that while being the owner, the dog was dangerously out of control, barked aggressively and ran towards Mr Boyde repeatedly biting him on the body to his injury on July 1 last year.

Mr Boyde, 54, from Edinburgh, has written two children’s series – Tales of Mordekai Hagg and A Dragon’s Tale – plus A Children’s Guide to Nature Watching for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

He gave evidence to say: “I suddenly heard a dog barking and spotted one of the most handsome Dobermanns I have ever seen running towards me from the edge of a wood.

“It was baring its teeth and barking.I knew its intention was not going to be to lick me.

“It bit me twice on the right leg and I stood up on my pedals to keep my throat well out of reach.

‘The owner was running towards me as well shouting,trying to get the dog under control.But it was not working.”

After his evidence was heard, the fiscal announced she was dropping the case through lack of evidence and Mr Bruce, who did not give evidence, was formally found not guilty by Sheriff Taylor.

A legal technicality is understood to be the cause of the shock ending of the case.

As they left the court, Mr Boyde just shrugged his shoulders.

Mr Bruce was unavailable for comment at his bungalow home. There was a sign on the door that read: ‘Watch Out. Dobermann About’ with a cartoon burglar being caught by a Dobermann.

A dog could be heard inside the house.