SNS GroupA Staffordshire Bull Terrier which mauled a miniature dog to death after breaking free from its harness has avoided being put down.
Teacup Yorkshire terrier Nibbles was attacked by Joseph Robertson’s dog Summer in Glasgow’s Garthamlock on August 8 last year.
Robertson, 54, pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.
A hearing took place on Friday to decide the fate of Summer.
Sheriff Paul Brown read through facts agreed between the prosecution and defence of the incident which occurred in Redcastle Square, Garthamlock.
He said: “Summer jumped on the Nibbles and grabbed it by the abdomen with its teeth and shook the dog in the air.
“Witnesses tried to get the dog from the jaws. Robertson rushed in to get Summer.
“Nibbles suffered a serious bite to the abdomen and was panting for breath.
“Robertson tried to remove Summer but she broke free once more and tried to attack Nibbles again.”
Nibbles’ owner Samantha Quinn and Robertson himself were injured following the incident.
Nibbles was taken to a vet for treatment but died two days later from his injuries.
Elaine Henley, 51, a clinical animal behaviourist, performed an exam on Summer after the incident.
She informed the court that before the attack Summer had lost her lifelong companion dog and suffered a phantom pregnancy.
Mrs Henley said: “There is no doubt a tragic and horrible incident occurred that day and a woman had to watch her own dog being attacked which is ghastly.”
She later said that if the dog was neutered and treated for her phantom pregnancy it’s “unlikely the dog will bite.”
Sheriff Paul Brown showed mercy for Summer and decided against the dog being put down.
Ownership will be transferred to Robertson’s son.
Summer must wear a harness, a basket muzzle, a double ended lead, a buckle style collar and be neutered.
Robertson, also of Garthamlock, was meantime fined £794 and banned from owning dogs for three years.
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