Advice sought on XL Bully destruction after attack

Advice is being sought from a dog expert on whether the animal should be destroyed

A dog expert will be asked whether an XL Bully dog which attacked a man in a park should be put down.

Linda Kenney, 57, pleaded guilty to owning the dangerously out of control dog which left a man with cuts and bumps after he tried to shield his pet from being attacked near Holmacres Drive, Harraby, on 2 December 2024.

Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard that because of the guilty plea the dog's destruction could be ordered unless it could be shown it was not a danger to the public.

The case was adjourned until 24 October so the opinion of an expert could be sought and Kenney, of Warnell Drive, Carlisle, was granted unconditional bail.

The court heard that despite the XL Bully dog breed being banned in the UK, Kenney's ownership was legal as she had an exemption certificate.

Sean Harkin, defending, said the victim's injuries were "very minor" and he was not bitten.

Mr Harkin asked for an adjournment to instruct a dog behaviourist to assess the animal and magistrates agreed.

They also asked for a probation service pre-sentence report to be prepared.