A dog expert will be asked if magistrates should spare the life of an XL Bully which injured a man in a Carlisle park.
At the city’s magistrates’ court this afternoon, 57-year-old Linda Kenney pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control.
Kenney was charged following an incident involving her pet in a park close to Holmeacres Drive, in Carlisle’s Harraby area, on December 2 2024.
Few details were given in open court about the incident before magistrates adjourned the case to seek two detailed background reports.
However, the prosecution said the victim sustained cuts and bumps as his head was banged on the ground during his attempts to put himself between the XL Bully and his own dog.
There was no bite involved and the court heard that despite the XL Bully dog breed being banned in the UK, Kenney’s ownership was legal as she held an exemption certificate.
In view of Kenney’s guilty plea to the offence, the law says that a court shall order the dog’s destruction unless it can be satisfied it would not constitute a danger to public safety.
Kenney’s lawyer, Sean Harkin, described the victim’s injuries as very minor.
He asked for an adjournment of the hearing to instruct a dog behaviouralist, who will prepare a report for a future court hearing after assessing the animal.
Magistrates agreed, and also requested the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report which will provide more information about Kenney and potential punishment options.
Kenney, of Warnell Drive, Carlisle, is due to return to the magistrates’ court on October 24, when she will be sentenced and her dog’s fate will be decided.
In the meantime she has been granted unconditional bail.
