Psychology student fined after dog attack

A psychology student has been fined after her American Bulldog called Psycho attacked a neighbour's pet.

Cheryl McCormick had left Psycho unsupervised when it went into the garden of William Coghill.

Mr Coghill had just let his French Bulldog Murphy out at his home in Castlemilk, Glasgow last October.

Psycho then latched onto Murphy - before it took 10 minutes to struggle to free his injured pet.

Mr Coghill was left with an £1,800 vet bill after Murphy suffered stomach wounds.

McCormick - a student at Strathclyde University - today/yesterday pled guilty to having a dog dangerously out of control at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Her lawyer said Psycho had been McCormick's "rock" in recent years.

Sheriff Philip Mackinnon fined the 31 year-old £350 and ordered her to pay Mr Coghill a further £550.

Psycho must also be muzzled when outdoors and on a lead.

The hearing was told Mr Coghill had let Murphy out when Psycho suddenly appeared in his back garden.

Prosecutor Graham Macdonald said: “Murphy was repeatedly bitten by the American bulldog, who was without its owner.

“Mr Coghill had to intervene to separate the dogs which took around 10 minutes.

"It appeared Mr Coghill was having difficulties doing so.”

It was other neighbours who called police.

Murphy ended up with injuries to his abdomen. Mr Coghill had to fork out £1781 to have his wounded pet treated.

The court heard McCormick had owned Psycho for five years.

He added: “She had the dog since the death of her mother. It has been her rock.

“Nothing like this has ever happened before. It has come as a shock to her.

“The dog is regularly around young children and there has been no previous complaints.”

Sheriff McCormick told the student: “This was a serious matter but I’m persuaded to impose a monetary penalty.

“I will also make an order that the dog will be kept muzzled and on a lead when outside its house.”

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