A dog owner is pleading with a sheriff not to put her beloved pet collie on death row.
Three-year-old Ruby faces being destroyed after a court heard she attacked a shop worker and bit her on the leg.
Last night, her owner Marie Wiseman acknowledged her companion had been out of control one the day of the incident – but said she did not deserve the death penalty.
The 39-year-old appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court and admitted a breach of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which was introduced in 1991 following a series of horrific attacks on children.
Sheriff Andrew Miller called for a follow-up hearing to establish if the dog should be put down.
Miss Wiseman said: “I couldn’t believe it when the sheriff said he was thinking of destroying her. I was not expecting that at all.
“It would have been ok if he told me to keep a muzzle on her or something like that, but this was just totally over the score.”
The court heard Miss Wiseman had been walking with Ruby along Gallowhill Road in Fraserburgh just before 9am on November 16.
Christina MacGregor, who works at the convenience store D&G Anderson, was opening for business when the black and white collie ran past.
Fiscal David Thorburn told the court: “It suddenly turned and without warning went towards her (Ms MacGregor). It was snarling loudly.
“The shop worker then felt a pain to her lower leg and she screamed out. She realised she had been bitten by the dog.”
Miss Wiseman grabbed Ruby, pulled her away and put a harness and lead on her.
Mr Thorburn said the shop assistant was left with a swollen, bruised leg but did not seek medical attention.
“There were teeth marks visible on her leg,” he said.
He said witnesses said Ms MacGregor was physically shaking and very upset.
Last night Miss Wiseman, of 9 Queen Mary Street, Fraserburgh, said her pet had been frightened by a noise and acted out of character.
“Ruby is a really friendly soul and she wouldn’t normally hurt anyone,” she said.
“What happened on that day was that the woman was moving up the shutters at the front of the door. They made a loud, sudden noise and Ruby got a real fright.”
Miss Wiseman, who is recovering from an aneurysm, said her dog had never been in trouble before.
“Anyone who knows her knows what a softy she is,” she said.
“I can’t believe they are even considering getting rid of her. I would be heartbroken to lose her.”
In court, her agent Sam Milligan suggested a control order would be sufficient.
The solicitor added: “Miss Wiseman went to the shop later that day to apologise personally to the assistant. But this lady was not in a mood to accept any apology that was proffered.”
Sheriff Miller told Miss Wiseman: “The court has to give consideration to a destruction order.”
Ruby’s fate will be decided at a hearing next month.
Ms MacGregor could not be contacted for comment last night.
