East Lothian man ‘relieved’ as dog escapes destruction order despite vicious OAP attack

An animal lover has been left relieved after his dog escaped a destruction order - despite it attacking a pensioner.
By Alexander Lawrie
Published 27th Feb 2019, 16:44 BST
Updated 27th Feb 2019, 17:47 BST

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Shaun Leonard was in charge of the American Bulldog when it escaped from his garden and launched an attack on pensioner Jean Johnstone.

The two-year-old dog, named Bentley, ran from its garden in Ormiston, East Lothian, and jumped up at the OAP before sinking its teeth into her right leg.

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The 71-year-old victim was left screaming in agony but managed to fight the dog off and make her way to safety.

The dog escaped a destruction order despite an attack which left a pensioner 'screaming.' Pic: ShutterstockThe dog escaped a destruction order despite an attack which left a pensioner 'screaming.' Pic: Shutterstock
The dog escaped a destruction order despite an attack which left a pensioner 'screaming.' Pic: Shutterstock

Leonard, 39, rushed from his home after hearing barking and found Bentley in the garden and the woman standing on the pavement bleeding from her wounds.

After hearing his mutt had attacked the woman Leonard casually told her ‘He doesn’t usually do that’.

The pensioner called in the police and was then forced to attend at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment to her injuries following the attack at the village’s Park Road on March 16 last year.

Leonard had previously admitted being in charge of the unrestrained dog which jumped up and attacked the woman hen he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December.

He returned to court for sentencing on Monday where Sheriff Donald Corke fined him £200, and said the dog would be allowed to live as long as its owner controls it in public.

Solicitor Milly Virtue, defending, said Bentley’s demeanour changed after it was attacked by two Alsatians in 2017.

Following the Alsatian attack Bentley was said to be “timid and flinching” when approached.

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Fiscal depute Mr Keane told the court Mrs Johnstone was making her way past the Leonard’s home at around 11pm on March 16 last year when she was attacked by the dog.

Mr Keane said the elderly victim had been left bleeding heavily due to “a large bite mark on her right leg” that had been “pierced by teeth”.

The victim managed to make her way to safety following the attack and when police arrived at Leonard’s home he admitted “hearing the disturbance involving the dog” but had not seen the incident.

He claimed his wife had inadvertently left the front door open and Bentley had escaped the house and gone on to bite Mrs Johnstone.

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