Owner in court after pet dog accused of vicious attack on girl

The owner of an American akita accused of viciously attacking a Fife schoolgirl has appeared in court ahead of the trial.

Brian Ralph maintained his not guilty plea to being the owner of a “dangerously out of control” dog called Chaos.

The 24-year-old’s defence lawyer told the court they were having difficulty in getting an animal behaviour expert to compile a report for the trial.

But solicitor Iain McCafferty added that he was hopeful they would be able to instruct another expert ahead of the planned hearing later this month.

He said: “I know there is some procedural history in this case and that the dog is still in the police pound or kennels.

“I would have asked for the trial to be adjourned but I understand that the Crown would be opposed to that.

“I am hopeful matters can move forward quite quickly.”

Ralph’s defence requested an additional hearing be held ahead of the trial on May 17.

Sheriff Gilchrist granted the motion and excused the attendance of the Methil man at the intermediate diet yesterday.

The dog is said to have viciously attacked a 13-year-old girl while she played in her back garden of her Lomond Gardens home with her little cousin.

The charge states that the dog was “continuously barking” before allegedly chewing through a fence and biting a trampoline.

The dog is then alleged to have approached the schoolgirl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and bitten her on the body before allegedly knocking her to the ground.

The youngster is said to have suffered 16 bite marks which required two painful operations to repair the damage.

It is claimed she was scarred for life and is still suffering from nightmares following the alleged incident on July 20 last year.

The initial trial date was postponed by the court after a mix-up with Ralph’s legal aid which meant he was left without a solicitor.

Ralph is due to stand trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on May 17.