Sheriff orders destruction of rescue dog who bit two people as it was 'kinder' than locking it up in kennels for the rest of its life

An animal-loving sheriff ordered a rescue dog’s destruction because it was “kinder” than locking it up in kennels for the rest of its life.

The staffie-lurcher cross, Chase, was described as an “escape artist” after twice running out of a garden in Blairpark Avenue, Coatbridge, to bite a teenage boy and a woman.

Owner Lisa Corner, 42, admitted at Airdrie Sheriff Court that the dog was dangerously out of control between March 30 and May 31 last year.

Chase was being held in kennels ahead of the case and Sheriff Diane Turner considered a dog behaviour expert’s assessment before ruling on its fate.

Corner, who uses a wheelchair and is said to have a “complex” health condition, did not attend the court hearing.

Her lawyer, Rowan Myles, said the expert’s report “doesn’t make good reading” as Chase had been observed to act aggressively in the kennels.

Sheriff Turner stressed it was a choice between destroying the dog and keeping it in kennels for the rest of its life.

She said: “It might be that the kindest thing for everyone is to put him to sleep.

“Chase can’t go back home because he is clearly problematic and a bit of an escape artist.

“I have three spaniels and one of them is like Houdini - he can get out of anywhere.

“Chase has a propensity to bite and, with the best will in the world, it’s nearly impossible to keep him and everyone else safe.”

Making a destruction order, the sheriff said: “It’s clear that Chase’s welfare has already been compromised significantly while in care – and that’s no criticism of those who are doing their best to care for him.

“His temperament is such that the reality is his best interests are served by an order for his destruction.”

The sheriff decided not to fine Corner or impose a community payback order, adding: “It seems the difficulties have arisen because of her ill health which compromised her ability to exercise any real control over the animal.

“She has been punished adequately by the loss of her dog so she will be admonished.”

Corner was disqualified from keeping dogs for three years.

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