Owner must wait to find out fate of terrier that bit young girl

The owner of a Jack Russell that bit a small girl could be banned from keeping pets and the fate of his dog remains to be determined.

The 10-year-old girl was left with a puncture wound on her leg after she was bitten by the terrier.

The dog’s owner admitted this week the animal was dangerously out of control when it attacked the child in the town in September last year.

Douglas Bell now faces a twomonth wait to find out the dog’s fate, which will depend on a report on its behaviour by council dog wardens.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney outlined the case against Bell when Bell appeared at Perth Sheriff Court. He said: “The accused appeared with a small Jack Russell, which was not on a lead.

“The witness and her stepdaughter were on the same side of the street. She noticed the girl appeared to be in pain.

“She asked if she was OK and she said she thought that the dog had scratched her as it had jumped up at her.

“The witness rolled up the girl’s legging and noticed a clear puncture wound that was bleeding. She told the accused what had happened.

“The accused appeared to be sorry and he also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He continued on his way and the dog followed him.”

The victim contacted NHS 24 but did not require further treatment, the court was told.

Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said Bell, from Kinross, had inherited the seven-year-old dog from his mother.

He said his client was pleased the child had been left without a scar.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said he would consider banning Bell from keeping any pet, but wanted to get a report first on the dog from professional wardens.

He said: “It is a situation where the dog has jumped up and nipped her.”

He deferred sentence on Bell until December.