Two XL bullies are facing a death sentence after a family and their dog were attacked in Hamilton. Richard Hannah, 38, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week and admitted that his dogs were dangerously out of control near his home in Raeburn Crescent on April 9.
The incident occurred when a neighbour was walking their family’s two-year-old cockapoo and spotted the XL bullies on the street without muzzles or leads. Fearing for the safety of their dog, the neighbour ran home with the cockapoo, but the XL bullies caught up with them and began attacking the dog, biting its torso, neck, and ears.
The family members rushed to help save their dog, using any items they could find to fend off the aggressive dogs. One family member suffered cuts to his fingers, while his wife and son sustained scratches. The cockapoo was taken to a vet for treatment but has since made a good recovery.
Hannah claimed that he had placed the XL bullies in the garden and locked both gates, suggesting that someone must have opened a gate for the dogs to escape. The prosecution is now seeking for the dogs to be destroyed and for Hannah to be disqualified from keeping animals.
The XL bullies have been removed from Hannah’s care and are currently being kept in kennels until the legal process is concluded. Hannah’s defence lawyer stated that he has no intention of keeping dogs again and emphasized that he was unaware the dogs had escaped.
Sheriff John Speir has deferred sentencing until December to allow for background reports and to consider the possibility of having the dogs destroyed. The family who owned the cockapoo expressed their distress over the incident, mentioning that they had to spend a significant amount on vet bills and feared for their dog’s life.
Insights:
The incident involving the XL bullies highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the potential consequences of dogs being dangerously out of control. It is crucial for dog owners to ensure that their pets are properly restrained and trained to prevent such attacks from occurring in the future.
Summary:
The case of the XL bullies facing a death sentence after attacking a family and their dog in Hamilton serves as a reminder of the need for diligence and accountability in caring for pets. The well-being and safety of both animals and humans should always be a top priority to prevent such harmful situations from happening.