Dog owner pleads with court to spare pet
A dog lover insists he has taken steps to ensure his mutt is not a danger to the public after it savaged a post man.
Fraser Gardiner, 55, says he has improved security around his home after the German Shepherd pounced.
The beast left worker Alan Quinn, 48, permanently scarred after it escaped and pinned him to the ground.
The owner was told the mutt would be put down if he could not provide evidence that steps had been taken to protect the public at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Manson pleaded for mutt Mally, six, to be spared.
He said:“The dog is muzzled and put on a lead before leaving the property.
“He is not muzzled in the back garden because there is no access. “He does have it put on when he is going for a walk. “Door handles have been changed because he could open them before. “A spring-loaded latch has also been put on the gate.” The postie was carrying out his rounds when he was tackled by the dog in Paisley’s Strathcarron Road.
He told how he heard the dog barking before he felt its teeth sinking into his flesh.
The mail worker said there was nothing he could do and screamed in horror as chunks were bitten from his limbs.
Alan suffered repeated bites to his arms and legs after being dragged to the ground.
The hound jumped up and opened a door, before sneaking through open gates to reach the street.
Animal behaviourists and wardens have made recommendations to calm the dog and keep it away from the public after the attack last September 6.
The court can order the animal destroyed if it is deemed to be a dangerous.
Mr Manson says the family have put the dog on a training course and met with wardens – but were not given any official information on what changes to make.
He also claimed his client had installed higher fencing to keep the dog in.
Gardiner earlier admitted being in control of the beast when it attacked.
He had left a gate open after carrying bags of rabbit feed into the garden.
The owner adopted the pooch with his wife when he was a six-month-old pup.
He said it had been rescued from an abusive home and “doesn’t like people”.
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew gave Mally a stay of execution to seek expert advice from behaviourists.
He said:“In the first instance I am going to defer sentence. I do not expect the dog to have made significant further progress in the education programme in a relatively short time.
“You must get a copy of the dog control notice which you have apparently not been given.
“You must obtain a letter or other statement from an animal welfare officer and any opinion he may wish to give me.”
Gardiner has been ordered to return to court on April 23.