A 24-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to being in charge of an out-of-control XL bully dog that caused the death of a teenager in a Bristol flat. Kelcie Reed entered her plea at a court hearing on Wednesday, admitting that her dog, named Prince, fatally injured 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett on 26 February last year.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred inside a flat in Bristol, where Ms Dorsett, originally from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, sustained fatal bites to her neck. Emergency services were called but she could not be saved. The XL bully dog was subsequently euthanized following the attack.
Plea Entered on a Basis
Reed pleaded guilty “on a basis,” meaning that while she accepts responsibility, she disputes certain aspects of the prosecution’s account of the events. The exact nature of the disputed facts has not been disclosed in court. The case has drawn significant attention amid ongoing debates about the regulation of XL bully dogs in the UK.
The court is expected to hear further arguments before sentencing. The maximum penalty for being in charge of a dog that causes death while out of control can include imprisonment. The case highlights the serious consequences of failing to control dangerous breeds.
