‘stressed’ dog that bit girl is spared death

Tayport man fined and ordered to pay compensation to 10-year-old

A dog that bit a defenceless 10-year-old girl outside a Fife shop will not be destroyed, a court ruled yesterday.

Bruce Rourke’s collie attacked the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at a Scotmid store on Castle Street, Tayport.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard the girl was with her mother, who was using an ATM outside the shop. At the same time Rourke was tying up the dog feet away.

The animal lunged at the girl before biting her on the body.

She was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and given antibiotics as a precaution but suffered no lasting damage.

The court was told the dog has undergone “behaviour modification” since the attack and would be muzzled in public from now on.

Rourke, 57, of William Street, Tayport, pled guilty on summary complaint to a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Defence solicitor Theo Finlay said: “There is a report from an animal behaviourist that suggests no order needs to be made for destruction of the dog.”

Sheriff Alastair Brown ordered Rourke to pay a £100 fine and £300 compensation to the girl.

He said: “The usual consequence of a dog attacking someone is that the dog will be destroyed.

“The behaviour modification has taken place and that plan has involved desensitising the dog around traffic.

“The expert had noted the dog was showing signs of stress around traffic and people. The dog has now been treated and you have undertaken to muzzle the dog when you are out.”