Brother and sister failed to control XL Bully that mauled two dogs

A brother and sister have admitted failing to keep control of a XL Bully that mauled two dogs.

Charles Sexton, 54, and Karen Davies, 59, admitted failing to keep six-year-old Amber under control during separate attacks in April and December 2022.

Amber initially pounced on a four-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Honey after she escaped from Davies’ home in Glasgow’s Woodlands.

Amber swung Honey about and had to be pulled away by members of the public.

The dog later left Sexton’s flat in the city’s Maryhill when she preyed upon a six-year-old Labradoodle named Luna after which she had to be intubated and given oxygen.

Sexton pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control.

Davies admitted a separate charge of being in charge of a dog which did suffer or permit it to cause danger or injury.

The court heard that Honey and her male owner were outside of their property when Amber was seen in the distance.

Prosecutor Simona Gesheva said: “Within a matter of seconds, Amber ran at Honey and picked her up with her teeth and swung her around from left to right.

“[Honey’s owner] tried to get her away, however Amber failed to release her grip.”

A member of the public intervened while Honey and her owner took shelter in a nearby close.

Honey was initially released from a vet after 24 hours having suffered puncture marks on her body and a low temperature.

She had to return five days later due to an infection which put her at risk of cellulitis, sepsis and necrosis.

Eight months later, Luna’s owner was with her and another Labradoodle at a pelican crossing.

Ms Gesheva said: “Amber came charging over towards [the woman].

“Amber clamped down on Luna and would not release its grip. [Luna’s owner] screamed due to fear and kept her other dog away.”

Several members of the public intervened but they were unable to separate the pair.

Ms Gesheva added: “At some point, [Luna’s owner] was swept off her feet.”

Luna was initially freed but Amber struck again and brought her to the ground while she was being taken to safety into a funeral directors office.

The stricken dog was initially saved and taken to a vet for treatment for puncture wounds to her rear, undercarriage and body.

Ms Geshava said: “Luna required to be intubated and was put on oxygen. Most of the wounds will heel naturally.”

Brian Lannigan, defending Sexton, told the court that his client left Amber to go to the shops under his flat on the day of the first attack.

He said: “As far as he is concerned, she was left in a secure back garden of the tenement. He was unaware that the dog appeared to have gone out the common close.

“He has no explanation why that occurred but someone would have left a door open.”

Martha Rafferty, defending Davies, stated that her client was looking after Amber while Sexton was in hospital.

She claimed Davies opened her door and Amber “went past her” and was “out of control”.

Sentence was deferred until later this month pending CCTV of the first incident being played before Sheriff Mary Shields.