14 February 2024 , 15:42
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A pair of American XL Bully dogs face being destroyed after allegedly mauling another dog to death in Scotland
The male and female dogs are believed to have been dangerously out of control when they escaped from a house in Strathaven, Lanarkshire before attacking a West Highland Terrier that was being walked by its owner. Herbert Cea, 36, and Jake Downing, 23, were charged over the shocking incident in February last year.
But it has since emerged that the case against the two men at Hamilton Sheriff Court is set to be 'discontinued' if they sign the dogs over to prosecutors. The dogs, currently being kept in kennels, will then be put down. It is claimed the dogs ignored multiple commands before the attack.
The dogs are thought to have repeatedly bit and dragged the Westie, which was fatally injured in the attack. Andrew Patrick, the owner of the Westie, and is also said to have been dragged to the ground and injured. In addition, Cea was pulled down to the ground.
Cea, of Hyndland, Glasgow, and Downing, of Strathaven, did not attend a brief hearing but Laura Kiernan, defending, said they both maintained not guilty pleas. Depute fiscal Robbie McDougall told the court: "There has been an agreement reached in this case that if the dogs are signed over to us then the case will be discontinued and the dogs destroyed.
Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams
"The difficulty that has occurred is trying to arrange for these dogs to be destroyed which is the agreed outcome between the Crown and the Scottish SPCA inspector. Arranging this is proving more difficult than I first thought. I want the dogs destroyed before the case is discontinued."
A defenceless Westie was killed in the attack [stock] (Getty Images)Sheriff Michael Higgins set another hearing for next month and both men were excused from attending. A ban on American XL bully dogs is set to come into place in Scotland from February 23.
It will be legal to own one of the dogs but they must be muzzled and on a lead in public from that date while selling or exchanging them will be banned. And from July 31 it will be an offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate. While over the border in England an XL Bully was taken away from its owner when they were found to have not followed the new rules recently put in place. From February 1, owners cannot have the breed without a special licence.
Police in Calne, Wiltshire, removed the dog saying they had not wanted to - but had no choice. Other new rules in England related to XL Bullys now in place include not selling them, giving them away, leaving them alone or taking them out without a lead and muzzle.