A Motherwell couple are begging to be present at the execution of their death row dog after a court ordered the family pet be put down.
Sanka, a six-year-old Japanese Akita, attacked two men in separate incidents outside owner John Dunsmore’s home.
Sheriff Ray Small issued a destruction order after 29-year-old Dunsmore admitted allowing the animal to be dangerously out of control.
After hearing that Sanka was a much-loved family pet, the sheriff said he hoped that the accused and his partner would be allowed to attend when a vet puts the dog to sleep.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the attacks happened in Watson Street in November 2019 and August this year.
Jennifer Guy, prosecuting, said the first occurred when Dunsmore was involved in a stand-up fight with a man.
Ms Guy told the court: “A witness tried to split them up and at this point the dog bit the man on the forearm.
“This pierced his skin and he was taken to hospital for treatment.”
The second attack came when Dunsmore’s neighbour was returning to his flat from a bin shed.
The fiscal said: “The dog jumped on him and bit his hand.
“The neighbour managed to pull at the dog’s jaw and released its grip.
“He suffered two deep puncture wounds and these were treated by paramedics at the scene.”
Defence agent Alan Murray said Sanka was defending its owner from attack in the first incident.
In relation to the second attack, Dunsmore accepted he should have closed the door behind him to stop the dog going out without a lead.
Mr Murray said Dunsmore, now of Lindum Street, Motherwell, would not oppose a Crown move to have Sanka destroyed.
But he told the sheriff: “He and his partner have two children, aged five and six, and the dog has been part of the family since they were babies.
“His partner, in particular, loves Sanka so much that she wants to be present when the dog is put down.”
Sheriff Small told Dunsmore the legislation left him with no option but to order the dog’s destruction.
The sheriff said: “I can’t order that you be allowed to attend when the dog is put down.
“However, my clerk will find out from the vet concerned whether this is possible.”
The sheriff also ordered unemployed Dunsmore to pay £300 towards the £3,200 bill for keeping Sanka in police kennels since August.
