Two XL Bully dogs escaped garden and mauled Hamilton neighbour's cockapoo

Richard Hannah outside Hamilton Sheriff Court
-Credit: (Image: Pressteam)


A man has admitted his two XL Bully dogs were out of control after they escaped his garden and mauled a neighbour's pet.

Richard Hannah, 38, put his two dogs called Cali and Luna outside and left them unattended. But they managed to get out and savaged a cockapoo called Alfie as it was being walked by owner Kyle McLachlan.

The XL Bullies chased Alfie before sinking their jaws into the terrified animal in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

McLachlan desperately tried to stop the beloved pet being attacked and struck the dogs with various items before the attack ended.

READ MORE: Emergency services close Lanarkshire road after 'two injured' in crash

READ MORE: Glasgow residents describe moment cops swooped on street after woman's death

Police were called to the scene in April and Hannah told officers he had secured the gate but someone must have opened it.

Alfie was taken to the vets for treatment for wounds to his ear, neck, back and head while his leg was also bandaged.

Hannah appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted being the owner of dogs which were dangerously out of control.

Prosecutors want both XL Bullies destroyed and Hannah disqualified from owning dogs.

Depute fiscal Daisy Bentley said: "At 4pm, Kyle McLachlan left his home address to walk his dog, a white cockapoo called Alfie, on a lead.

"He walked along the street stopping near some flats where he observed two XL Bully dogs unattended with no lead or muzzle at the end of the street.

"He observed both dogs to run towards them so he tried to run with Alfie but the XL Bully dogs reached them at the end of the driveway and began to attack Alfie.

"His parents came out to try and assist and save Alfie from the XL Bully dogs by striking them with any items they could get their hands on while a neighbour also came out to assist.

"Eventually they were able to get Alfie back into the house while one grey dog, Cali, went home while the brown dog called Luna remained in the back garden."

Gregor Jarrott, defending, said: "His explanation is what he said to the police which is that the dogs had been within his back garden and he was unaware that they had escaped, had gone down the street and attacked the neighbour's dog.

"He accepts he was the owner of the dogs and that responsibility for them falls to him."

Sheriff John Speir deferred sentence on Hannah, of Hamilton, until December for reports and continued bail.

Legislation on XL Bully dogs came into force earlier this year and it is an offence to own one without having an exemption certificate.

They must also be muzzled and on a lead in public while selling or exchanging them is banned.

Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox