A dog that bit a nine-year-old girl outside her primary school has been saved from destruction.
The fate of the eight-stone mastiff alsatian rested in the hands of a dog handler report on its behaviour around people.
Its owner, Clare Louise Canning, or McIntyre, of Alexander Rise, Glenrothes, was fined £150 after admitting being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog on November 15 at the town’s Warout Primary School, and that it bit the girl on the body to her injury.
She was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the family of the young victim.
At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday, Sheriff Alistair Thornton decided he was satisfied that, after reading the report, the four-year-old dog, named Zak, did not pose a significant risk to the public.
At a previous hearing the court had heard that the girl and her friend had been running towards the school at 9am and saw the dog tied up at a lamppost next to the school gate.
The depute fiscal told the court: “She knew the dog as the owner took it to the school every day.
“The dog began barking and jumping up as the girls got closer to it. As they passed it jumped up and bit the complainer on the wrist.
“A red mark appeared but there was no other injury sustained.”
The girl was frightened and spoke to a staff member at the school who contacted the police.
McIntyre had owned the dog since it was 10 weeks old and had experienced no other problems with its behaviour.
McIntyre’s agent said she took the dog to the school while dropping off her son.
There was little scope for the animal to move away from where it had been tied but the lead it was wearing was not fully extended and had not put pressure on webbing that could have closed its mouth.
Since the incident she had not taken the dog back to the school.
He noted it was a “heavy, powerful” dog but all it had done was leave a small, red mark on the girl’s wrist without breaking the skin.
He also admitted that, with hindsight, the dog could have been muzzled.
In passing sentence, Sheriff Thornton told Ms McIntyre: “It is most important that you follow the advice of the dog handlers of the court. It is sensible and practical.
“I’m satisfied from the report that Zak does not pose a danger to the public, therefore it is not necessary or appropriate to order the destruction of the dog.
“However, it would also be fairer on the dog if you follow the advice given to you.”
The girl’s family declined to comment.