A pocket bully dog was destroyed after mauling a man who had been planning to buy it.
A sheriff told owner Agnieska Malarczyk he didn’t understand why anyone would want to keep such a “violent and aggressive” beast.
Malarczyk, 47, was fined £350 after admitting that one-year-old Tyson was dangerously out of control in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that James McGuire contacted Malarczyk through social media after learning the pocket bully was for sale.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said: “He met the accused at her home and approached the dog which lashed out and tried to bite his arm.
“Mr McGuire stepped back and Tyson then latched on to his right thigh and tore at his trousers.
“He tried to pull the dog away but it kept hold of him and he had to remove his trousers to break free.
“Throughout this the owner failed to control Tyson and, when challenged, stated ‘What do you want me to do about it?’
“Mr McGuire left without buying the dog. He had teeth marks on his thigh and what is described as significant bruising.”
The court was given confirmation that Tyson had been put down after the attack on August 13 last year.
After hearing the details, Sheriff Hamilton asked: “Why would you buy a pocket bully? They seem to be violent and aggressive as demonstrated by Tyson’s conduct.”
Defence lawyer Ian Scott said it appeared the dog had been “mistreated” by a previous male owner.
He stated: “As a result Tyson was afraid of men and its behaviour towards them was hostile. That’s why it behaved in this way.
“My client had other dogs in the household and Tyson didn’t get on with them so she decided to sell.”
Earlier this year the Scottish Government announced tight controls on XL bully dogs following a number of serious attacks.
Owners must now have a certificate for their animal and it’s illegal to breed or sell them. They must be muzzled and on a lead when in public.
The new rules don’t extend to pocket bully dogs.
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