Woman diagnosed with MND allowed to keep 'life-saving' Japanese Akita which left 52-year-old with 'pretty nasty injury'
Last updated 10th Jun 2024
A terminally-ill Peebles woman who told a court her prized pooch keeps her alive by waking her up in the night when she stops breathing is being allowed to keep her pet - despite it biting a woman, who was left with what a Sheriff described as "a pretty nasty injury".
Tracy Welsh - who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - was found guilty in October of having a dog which was dangerously out of control in a public place.
Her Japanese Akita, named Harrison, bit a woman outside a local convenience store on February the 13th, 2022.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard it's the second time the animal had bit someone in three years.
In 2019, Welsh had been issued with a notice from Scottish Borders Council advising her that her pet would have to wear a "basket" muzzle and be kept on a lead when out in public, following an alleged incident with a neighbour.
While recognising the support pets can offer their owners, Sheriff Kevin McCarron - speaking following the conclusion of the trial - revealed he remained concerned about Welsh's ability to control an animal of that size.
And sentence was deferred for good behaviour.
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Welsh was admonished when she returned to court today (Monday), after Sheriff Peter Paterson heard there had been no further incidents involving the animal.
The former book-keeper revealed she picked Harrison up in 2017 following the break-up of a relationship.
And, although he has never been officially trained as a support dog, Welsh, of Kingsmuir Crescent, Peebles, said: "He just protects me basically, he looks after me."
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