Woman denies allowing dog to attack nine-year-old boy

A woman will face trial next month over a charge of allowing a German shepherd named Gilbert to savage a young boy in an Angus street.

Marion Dow is facing a summary complaint at Forfar Sheriff Court in relation to an alleged incident near her Brechin home in July, which led to the nine-year-old being injured.

Dow, 54, of Provost Buchan Road, denies allowing the animal to be dangerously out of control on July 17 near her home, whereby it ran around in a public street, repeatedly barked and behaved in an aggressive manner.

The charge further alleges that the dog ran towards the nine-year-old boy, knocked him to the ground and repeatedly scratched and bit him on the body, all to his injury, and the animal failed to obey her commands.

Sheriff Gregor Murray set trial for December 16.

Courts have the power to order the destruction of a dog in cases involving a conviction that the animal was dangerously out of control, as well as being able to impose control measures including keeping a pet on a lead.

Also at Forfar: Ben Kelbie, 20, of Glenogil Drive, Arbroath, had sentence deferred until January 9 for a social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment after admitting a £2,000 haul from an Arbroath clothes shop.

He pled guilty to stealing trainers and clothing, as well as £79.50 in cash and five mobile phones, from Arkive and Tech City on the High Street on June 11.

Kelbie, who was drunk at the time, was warned by Sheriff Gregor Murray he could be facing prison for the offence.