Woman diagnosed with MND faces losing 'life-saving dog' after it left 52-year-old with 'pretty nasty injury'
A Peebles woman with Motor Neurone Disease revealed her prized pooch keeps her alive - by waking her up in the night when she stops breathing.
Tracy Welsh, who was diagnosed with the terminal illness in March last year, says her six-and-a-half-year-old Japanese Akita, named Harrison, has never been officially trained as a support dog.
She's had him since he was eight-weeks-old, after picking him up in 2017 following the break-up of a relationship.
But the 50-year-old, former book-keeper, faces losing the life-saving pet after it bit a woman outside a local convenience store on February the 13th last year.
The 52-year-old, who we're not naming, said the skin was left "flapping" on her middle finger, which required an operation and stitches, after the animal - which weighs more than 74 kilos - lunged at her.
Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Tuesday) heard it's the second time Harrison had bit someone in three years.
In 2019, the large dog breed was issued with a notice from Scottish Borders Council advising it to wear a "basket" muzzle and be kept on a lead when out in public, following an alleged incident with a neighbour.
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The details emerged during a trial, at the end of which Welsh, of Kingsmuir Crescent, Peebles, was found guilty of having a dog which was dangerously out of control in a public place, in respect of the latest incident.
Sentence has been deferred until December the 8th, for a background report which will allow the court to consider its options - and could see Harrison destroyed.
While recognising the support pets can offer their owners, Sheriff Kevin McCarron said he remained concerned over Welsh's ability to control an animal of that size.
He said the injury suffered by the woman bitten by Harrison was "pretty nasty".
Giving evidence herself in court, Welsh said: "He just protects me basically, he looks after me."
More to follow...
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