A pair of dangerous dogs from Montrose which mauled a Labrador to death and injured other pets and people are facing destruction and their owner could be jailed.
Ian Nicolson will be sentenced next month after admitting being responsible for Staffordshire Bull Terriers Jake and Bella as they terrorised residents and other dogs in Montrose last winter.
Jake and Bella had already mounted two attacks when their violent spree came to a horrific conclusion on February 26 this year as they mauled black Labrador Marley to death in Garrison Road.
On December 2, both had been made subject to Dog Control Notices, which meant they had to be kept on leads no longer than a metre whenever they were in public and had to wear full cage muzzles.
Fresh notices were issued on Hogmanay but they were again untethered and unmuzzled when they ran towards 10-year-old Marley and repeatedly bit him on the body.
The injuries inflicted were so severe Marley had to be euthanised.
Police seized both Jake and Bella after the attack.
Owner, firefighter Gary Donald, 48, later told The Daily Record the pair were in “kill-mode” when they went for Marley.
32-year-old Nicolson admitted he was in charge of the dogs when they were dangerously out of control.
Earlier attacks on dogs and people
Nicolson also admitted having charge of the dogs during their 2021 attacks.
On November 1, at Easson Angle, both were untethered and unmuzzled when they attacked a Golden Retriever-type dog called Lola by repeatedly biting her on the head and body, leaving her injured.
The dogs also repeatedly bit Alexander and Rachael Murdoch, injuring them, and knocked 67-year-old Susan Murdoch to the ground.
They repeatedly bit Michael Young on the body, injuring him.
A month later, Jake and Bella attacked another Staffordshire Bull Terrier near Nicolson’s home in Garrison Road, Montrose.
On December 11, the dogs, again untethered and unmuzzled, ran towards Ayla and repeatedly bit her on the head and body, then bit Scott McLoughlan on the neck and body.
Mr McLoughlan and Ayla both sustained injuries.
On December 2, both Jake and Bella were made subject to Dog Control Notices, which meant they had to be kept on leads no longer than a metre whenever they were in public and had to wear full cage muzzles.
Nicolson admitted that at the time of the attack on Mr McLoughlan and Ayla, he was breaching both orders.
Accepts dogs should be put down
At Forfar Sheriff Court, solicitor James Caird said: “Mr Nicolson has accepted that the dogs should be destroyed.
“There are mental health difficulties in the background.”
Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “The culpability seems extremely high.
“His liberty is at risk.”
The sheriff ordered a restriction of liberty order assessment and asked for details of all the injuries caused by the dogs to be provided at a hearing next month.
