A Newfoundland dog that bit a young girl as she walked with her mother has been saved from destruction.
Linda Campbell-Dunn has been ordered to pay compensation after she admitted being in charge of the dangerously out-of-control dog when it attacked the 10-year-old and sank its teeth into her back and arm.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard that the youngster needed hospital treatment as a result of the attack in Dalgety Bay in May 2020.
Professional dog-walker Campbell-Dunn was told that while the girl’s physical injuries will fade, she may be left psychologically scarred.
Teddy’s temperament
The court heard Campbell-Dunn had lost control of her Newfoundland, called Teddy, and another dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross, after appearing to stumble while walking along Barnhill Road.
Sentence had been deferred in March this year for a vet report into Teddy’s temperament.
The court had also asked for the dog warden to ascertain Campbell-Dunn’s suitability to keep animals.
Campbell-Dunn, who has her own dog-walking business, appeared in the dock again on Wednesday to hear that prosecutors had withdrawn motions to have her dog destroyed and to ban her from keeping animals.
Dog warden report
Sheriff David Hall said he’d seen photographs of the girl’s injuries and described what must have been a “frightening experience” for both mother and daughter.
The sheriff told Campbell-Dunn: “The child suffered injuries to her arm and back that will undoubtedly heal, but time will tell regarding any psychological issues the young girl has in future when confronted upon seeing a dog.”
He said: “The dog warden has carried out a report here and clearly you are following the instructions of the dog warden.
“I read the vet’s report and read reports from the dog expert and have seen their references and your own qualifications and don’t doubt you are more than capable of looking after animals.
“But this is still a serious matter.”
Sheriff Hall ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to the victim.
Previous incident
Defence lawyer Alan Jackson said his client had also received intimation of a civil claim for damages in relation to the incident, with a figure of about £2,000 being canvassed but not accepted at this stage.
Campbell-Dunn, of Argyll Place, Saline, pled guilty to being in charge of the Newfoundland which was dangerously out of control in that it ran towards the mother and daughter and repeatedly jumped up on them and repeatedly bit the girl on her body to her injury.
The court also heard previously it was not the first occasion Teddy had attacked, having bitten a cyclist on the bottom in October the previous year.
