A judge told a Perthshire dog owner that one of his pets faces being put down if it bites another person.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the black Labradoodle, Oscar, bit two elderly men for no reason, resulting in one being scarred, while the other had three puncture wounds to his hand.
Depute Fiscal Craig Donald told the court that the seven-year-old dog was with another pooch outside a grocers’ store in Dunning around 10.15am when an 83-year-old man walked past.
“The dogs, which are owned by accused Hugh Gillon, were both on leads, but this black Labradoodle lunged at the man and bit him on the left hand,” he said.
“The elderly man was able to pull his hand from the dog’s mouth but received first aid in the grocers’ shop. He had a puncture wound and was then taken to Perth Royal Infirmary but didn’t receive any further medical attention.”
Mr Donald said the man has been left with a minor scar.
On a second occasion, a 78-year-old man was on his usual evening walk around 7.30pm when he became aware of a black Labradoodle coming towards him, off its lead.
“The animal lunged towards the man without any provocation,” Mr Donald said.
“He put his hands up to shield his face but the dog took hold of his hand. The man then turned around and the dog lost its grip but seized the man’s jacket, shaking it.”
The court heard the man started to shout at the dog but it continued to growl and snarl at him. At this point, Gillon appeared and put it on a lead and tied it to a tree.
Mr Donald said the accused offered to drive the man home but this offer was declined.
The man suffered three puncture wounds to his hand and skin was torn on a forefinger. The court heard he was given a tetanus injection.
Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said his client accepts the dogs are his responsibility and now has both dogs muzzled when they are out in public.
However, Sheriff Gillian Wade said a background report into the matter showed Gillon appeared to be making excuses for the dog attacks, when in fact he was responsible for their behaviour.
Gillon, 52, of Blaeberry Cottage, Dunning, admitted that on February 6 at Bridge of Earn Road, Dunning, being the owner of a black Labradoodle, whereby the dog was dangerously out of control whilst on a lead, it lunged and bit a man on the body.
He also admitted that on August 14 on the B9141 road near Dunning, being the owner of the same dog, it repeatedly attacked and repeatedly bit a man while untethered.
Sentencing Gillon to a fine of £500 and ordering him to pay each man £250 each in compensation, Sheriff Wade told him if there is another recurrence of Oscar biting anyone it is “highly likely” it will be put down.
