The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Owner faces prison over deadly rampage by dogs
Apair of dangerous dogs which mauled a Labrador to death and injured other pets and people are facing destruction and their owner could be jailed.
Ian Nicolson will be sentenced next month after admitting being responsible for Staffordshire bull terriers Jake and Bella as they terrorised residents and other dogs in Montrose last winter.
Jake and Bella had already mounted two attacks when their violent spree came to a horrific conclusion on February 26 this year as they mauled black Labrador Marley to death in Garrison Road.
On December 2, both had been made subject to Dog Control Notices, which meant they had to be kept on leads no longer than a metre whenever they were in public and had to wear full cage muzzles.
Fresh notices were issued on Hogmanay but they were again untethered and unmuzzled when they ran towards 10-year-old Marley and repeatedly bit him on the body.
The injuries inflicted were so severe Marley had to be euthanised.
Police seized both Jake and Bella after the attack.
Owner Gary Donald, 48, later said the pair were in “kill-mode” when they went for Marley.
Nicolson, 32, admitted he was in charge of the dogs when they were dangerously out of control.
Nicolson also admitted having charge of the dogs during their 2021 attacks.
On November 1, at Easson’s Angle, both were untethered and unmuzzled when they attacked a golden retriever-type dog called Lola by repeatedly biting her on the head and body, leaving her injured.
The dogs also repeatedly bit Alexander Murdoch and Rachael Murdoch, injuring them, and knocked 67-yearold Susan Murdoch to the ground.
They repeatedly bit Michael Young on the body, injuring him.
A month later, Jake and Bella attacked another Staffordshire bull terrier near Nicolson’s home in Garrison Road, Montrose.
On December 11, the dogs, again untethered and unmuzzled, ran towards Ayla and repeatedly bit her on the head and body, then bit Scott Mcloughlan on the neck and body.
Mr Mcloughlan and Ayla both sustained injuries.
On December 2, both Jake and Bella were made subject to Dog Control Notices, which meant they had to be kept on leads no longer than a metre whenever they were in public and had to wear full cage muzzles.
Nicolson admitted that at the time of the attack on Mr Mcloughlan and Ayla, he was breaching both orders.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, solicitor James Caird said: “Mr Nicolson has accepted that the dogs should be destroyed. There are mental health difficulties in the background.”
Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “The culpability seems extremely high. His liberty is at risk.”
The sheriff ordered a restriction of liberty order assessment and asked for details of all the injuries caused by the dogs to be provided at a hearing next month.
“Nicolson has accepted that the dogs should be destroyed