Three-year ban for dog owner after cop attack
A CLYDEBANK dog has been saved from destruction as its former owner has been banned from owning one for three years.
Shannon Morrow, of Birch Road, Parkhall, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on March 19 over offences which took place nearly two years ago, when she instructed a German shepherd to attack cops.
The dog, known as Droco, will be rehomed, heard the court.
Morrow, 23, previously pleaded guilty to an incident on November 2, 2022, at a property in Birch Road where she released the dog from a secure room, knowing it to be displaying aggressive behaviour and allowing it to jump on police and causing it to bark and growl at officers.
She then commanded the dog to bite the officers.
On December 28 that year, she threatened two officers with violence.
On January 12, 2023, she again commanded Droco to attack a cop, causing the dog to lunge at him.
Cops had to retreat to the garden on that occasion. Morrow commanded the dog to attack a third officer that day, causing Droco to lunge at him.
She further admitted being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and pursued and lunged at officers.
The case has been dragging on for quite some time as the woman had opposed a destruction order for the dog and a disqualification from owning or keeping a dog.
But at court last week, Morrow’s defence solicitor said a German shepherd rescue centre have agreed to take Droco.
The lawyer said they had spoken to animal behaviour experts in Scotland and England over the pet.
He said the crimes did not involve any injury to the officers, who attended her home after welfare concerns.
Sheriff William Gallacher put Morrow on a community payback order with social work supervision for 18 months.
She was disqualified from owning or keeping a dog for three years.
Due to the fact that Droco was able to be rehomed and supervised properly, no destruction order for the animal was made.