A sheriff has given a six-month stay of execution to an Alsatian dog whose owner ordered it to savage a policeman.
Paul McCrorie was found guilty after trial of setting the dog on the officer during an incident in Brechin in which the accused argued the police had no right to enter his home.
At Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday, 38-year-old McCrorie was given a six-month deferred sentence.
He was told by a sheriff it would allow further time to consider what action might be taken against the animal, given it was acting on the instructions of the accused.
McCrorie, of Drumachlie Park, Brechin, was found guilty in September of assaulting a police officer in a common stairwell at Montrose Street, Brechin, on July 19 by opening the door of a property, releasing the dog and instructing it to attack him, whereby it bit him repeatedly on the body and leg.
He was also convicted under the Dangerous Dogs Act of being the owner of an Alsatian which was dangerously out of control and was allowed to run at the officer and repeatedly bite him.
The accused’s solicitor, Brian Bell, said: “I do accept this was a nasty incident. There is a lack of criminal record in terms of violence but clearly there are areas to be dealt with for Mr McCrorie.”
Mr Bell added: “I submit it is not appropriate for the dog to be destroyed. There have been no prior difficulties and if your lordship defers sentence it can be revisited if there are any further difficulties.”
McCrorie had also been removed from a substance abuse programme after giving the appearance of turning up under the influence of drink or drugs.
Sheriff Duncan Murray said dangerous dogs offences would normally lead to a destruction order on the animal involved unless there was a significant reason not to impose one.
“The person to blame for this offence is Mr McCrorie and not the dog,” he added.