Dog owner started fight after she was told to stop hitting her pet
A DOG owner who hit her pet then attacked a woman who stepped in was warned she could be banned from owning animals.
Girvan’s Alison Barregon, 56, pleaded guilty to assault in Ayr Sheriff Court last week [November 3] after struggling violently with the woman, seizing her clothing and hair then punching her to the head.
She also admitted causing her pet unnecessary suffering after behaving aggressively to the dog then seizing him by the head and holding him to the ground then repeatedly punching him on the body.
The Procurator Fiscal depute said: “At 12pm midday on October 11 last year both witnesses were at the Asda store in Girvan – they were not known to each other.
“The witness appeared at the locus and heard a dog barking and observed the accused with a dog.
“She observed the dog jumping and the accused screaming at the dog.
“She then hit the dog in the rib area with force causing the dog to yelp and cower away.
“The yelp was overheard by the witness who saw the accused pin the dog to the floor holding its nose with both hands stating ‘stay down’.
“The witness then approached the accused stating ‘don’t hit the f***ing dog’.
“The accused went towards the witness attempting to hit her on the head.
“The witness then pulled the accused to the ground.
“The accused then stood up and handed the dog to a young female in her company
“I will have to consider whether I think appropriate disqualification [of owning a dog]” and the witness then began to walk away from the accused who then attempted to punch her head – who reacted by pushing back the accused.
“The witness again tried walking away as the accused followed pulling her jumper, grabbing by hair, pulling her and punching her head.
“The [second] witness watched and observed the accused punching her head with a closed fist.
On October 16 police traced the accused and she was cautioned and charged. She responded saying ‘she punched me and threw me to the ground”.
Barregon’s defence solicitor told the court that ‘potentially at the time her blood sugar level was disproportionately high’.
Sheriff MacTaggart said: “I’m going to defer sentencing for criminal justice social work reports.
“I will have to consider whether I think appropriate disqualification [of owning dog] – It’s only fair I warn you I have to consider that.”
Barregon, of Kerr Court, Girvan, will return to court for sentencing at a later date.
Any incidents of criminality can be reported to Police Scotland by contacting officers on101. In an emergency always dial 999.