An out-of-control bulldog which hospitalised three men in a month in Dundee has been saved from death row.
However, its owner Gary Myles has been jailed for 15 months and banned from keeping dogs for three years.
American bulldog Arnie could have been destroyed but Sheriff Alistair Carmichael said the dog had been “provoked, up to a point” as it reacted to a group of men wielding baseball bats outside Myles’ home.
Solicitor Gary McIlravey, defending, told Dundee Sheriff Court: “One of the individuals had a knife and that was being brandished.
“The dog itself was challenged and struck by individuals wielding baseball bats and that takes it out of the normal context.
“The dog had no record, prior to these offences, of being aggressive or attacking anyone.
“Since the incidents he has been of good behaviour.
“When out in public he is always on a leash.
“In both instances he was within his own home initially when incidents took place.”
Admitted charges
The court previously heard how three men suffered serious leg injuries and needed hospital treatment after being attacked by the bulldog.
One of the victims was left struggling to walk after being mauled.
Myles, 52, of Aboyne Avenue, Dundee, admitted the dog was dangerously out of control on January 20 2022 and bit Norman O’Brien and Charlie Barr to their severe injury.
He also admitted the same offence happened on February 5 2022, when it bit Grant Dundas to his injury. Myles was on bail at the time.
Two badly injured
Fiscal depute Lynn Mannion said: “Police Scotland received intelligence that Mr O’Brien and Mr Barr had been victims of a dog bite and were seriously injured.
“Consultation was made with hospital staff and Mr Barr was spoken to.
“He didn’t wish any police involvement.
“Mr O’Brien was traced and it was clear he had sustained a serious leg injury to his right calf.
“He was struggling to put weight on it or move it.
“He said he had been drinking heavily.
“He said he did not know what caused it and only noticed it the following day when he woke up.
“The dressing on his calf was saturated in blood.
“He had been in hospital on two occasions but had self-discharged because he didn’t like being there.
“He was told to seek urgent medical treatment.
“It was clear Mr O’Brien was not forthcoming with the correct sequence of events but would not deviate from his story.
“Mr Barr had been taken to surgery to have his wound washed.
“He said he could not remember what happened as he had been under the influence.”
Dog chased men from close
The court heard Grant Dundas and a friend armed themselves with baseball bats and went looking for the person who had stolen his car.
They chased a male into the common close where Myles lived and tried to get into a property.
A neighbour heard shouts of “help, help.”
“The male ran out the back as they entered,” Mrs Mannion said.
Arnie ran into the close and chased the men.
“They were running from the dog and turning round to aggressively gesticulate at it with the baseball bats.
“The accused was seen chasing the dog up the street.”
Mr Dundas required hospital treatment for a bite wound and Myles told police the dog would only bite when it was “threatened” or saw people fighting.
Myles handed the dog to police and told them Arnie had intervened when Mr Barr and Mr O’Brien were having a stand-up fight in his home.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
