A senior lecturer at Dundee University let his German Shepherd puppy run amok at a Perthshire beauty spot and bite a cyclist.
Gillian Ramsay was chased down and attacked by the dog as she pedalled on Alyth Hill.
She was rushed to hospital for treatment to puncture wounds, scratches and bruises.
Dr Masoud Hayatdavoodi – of the university’s School of Science and Engineering – appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and pled guilty to a breach of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
He admitted he was in charge of the dog, called Ana, which was “dangerously out of control”.
The one-year-old German Shepherd pursued Ms Ramsay and bit her on the body to her injury.
Hayatdavoodi, a senior lecturer in civil engineering, will be sentenced next month.
In charge of dog for first time
The incident happened on a walking route between Strathellie House and a nearby farm.
The court heard it was Hayatdavoodi‘s first time in charge of the dog.
His solicitor presented four letters from people who defended Ana and said she was no danger to the public.
He asked the court to defer sentence for an updated report from the local dog warden, who has been monitoring Ana.
“There has been no further incidents since this one,” said the lawyer.
The court accepted a not guilty plea from co-accused Kathleen Normandin.
Social media appeal
The day after the attack, Ms Ramsay’s boyfriend Kevin Thomson took to Facebook to appeal for witnesses.
“There was a man walking the dog,” he posted.
“Gillian didn’t get a good look at him as he was just around the corner.
“She could hear him shouting on his dogs.”
Mr Thomson added: “She didn’t get any more details as she was in shock.
“She turned the bike round and came home.
“Gillian is doing fine but she spent the night at A&E getting patched up and will have to return for a check-up.”
In a follow-up post, he thanked people for their messages of support.
“Gillian is sore, has three puncture wounds, scratches and lots of bruising to her leg, but is healing well,” he wrote.
He added: “We need to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“The path where Gillian was attacked is a busy path, especially during the summer months.
“The path is used by young children with the bike club, mountain bikers, hill walkers, dog walkers and runners.
“What happened on Saturday was bad enough, but it could be even worse if a child was involved.”
Mr Thomson declined to comment following the hearing.
Hayatdavoodi, of Wester Craigellie, Blairgowrie, will be sentenced on August 18.
