The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Pit bull deemed ‘timid and afraid’ despite it mauling dog and child
Abanned American pit bull which savaged a tiny dog as a young girl tried desperately to save it was described as “timid and afraid” by experts that examined it.
The dog went on the rampage in Woodside Avenue and Cromwell Road in Rosyth in June.
It attempted to rip the Jack Russell, called Pup, from the arms of an 11-yearold girl and fatally mauled it when the dog tried to escape.
The girl and two bystanders attempted to save the smaller dog, resulting in two of them suffering injuries.
Owner Natalie Jackson was unable to intervene as she was caring for a newborn baby at the time.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court was told the dog had papers showing it was a pure-bred Staffordshire bull terrier but examination revealed it was a banned breed.
The dog, called Alvin, had not previously shown any signs of aggression and got on well with other dogs, the court was told.
Fiscal depute Laura Mcmannus said the girl had taken the smaller dog, which belonged to her grandmother, to Jackson’s home to ask for poo bags.
She said: “As the accused went back inside, unfortunately, the dog called Alvin, which was part of Ms Jackson’s family and she was in charge of, barged past and has then gone on to behave in the manner libelled.”
Alvin seized Pup, biting and shaking him, until a 72-year-old neighbour intervened.
However, Alvin broke free from his grasp and chased Pup down Cromwell Road before grabbing him again.
Passerby Robert Kettles attempted to intervene, while the girl tried to run off with Pup but the pit bull again broke free and ripped the Jack Russell from her arms and fatally mauled him.
Ms Mcmannus added Mr Kettles and the girl had both been injured in the attack and the pit bull has been destroyed.
Solicitor Steve Morrison said Jackson, 32, had been unaware the dog was a banned breed and had papers to “prove” its pedigree.
He said: “Miss Jackson and her partner had no idea this was an American pit bull terrier.
“It was examined by members of the SSPCA, who took measurements to determine that’s what it was.
“She’s thoroughly embarrassed to be here in these circumstances.
“There was no previous display of aggressive behaviour on the part of Alvin and it’s unclear as to why he behaved this way.
“Miss Jackson has another dog, Frankie, and they rubbed along together well.
“The SSPCA describes Alvin, while being examined, as showing no aggression towards them.
“They described him as being timid and afraid.”
She said Ms Jackson had been willing to pay the vet’s bills for Pup’s owner.
Jackson, of Woodside Avenue, Rosyth, had previously admitted being in charge of the dog when it was out of control.
Ordering her to pay compensation, Sheriff Wyllie Robertson said: “This was a most unfortunate occurrence for all those involved.”
He said he was not banning Jackson from keeping pets as the incident had been a one-off that has “taken her by surprise”.
She must pay £500 each to the girl and Mr Kettles and a further £470 to the owner of Pup.