Dog owner fined after mastiff left other dog injured in Lanarkshire park attack

A dog walker faces a £510 penalty after her pet mastiff attacked another dog in a Hamilton park.

Both animals were on leads, but neither Jacqueline Craig nor the owner of the Shar Pei was able to separate them.

Craig, of Kenmar Terrace, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

The 58-year-old admitted responsibility for the attack by her dog Ben in Bothwell Road Park on June 27 last year.

The Shar Pei suffered cuts as a result.

Connor MacIntyre, prosecuting, said Ben lunged at the Shar Pei's owner before attacking his dog.

The incident lasted several minutes, with the Shar Pei fighting back, before the mastiff eventually calmed down.

Craig later told police: "It all happened so fast. I was pulling and pulling at Ben to try to get him off and the other owner was trying to pull his dog away.

"Ben had a problem with Shar Peis because of an incident when he was a puppy.

"I was upset and embarrassed. Since this incident I've contacted the vet about behavioural classes.

"I got the dog a muzzle and a harness. It's not like I just ignored it.

"I've started walking him elsewhere to try to avoid anything else happening. I'm really sorry."

Police said they were aware of no previous attacks involving Ben and defence agent Andy Brophy said there has been no trouble since.

He added: "The dog is now seven years old and my client has had him since he was a pup.

"She was very upset at the injuries caused to the other dog."

Sheriff Thomas Millar fined Craig £110 and ordered her to pay £400 compensation to the victim.

The sheriff told her: "It's a very wise precaution for you to keep the dog on a muzzle and harnessed."

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