Stephanie Watson, 35, from Lanark, has failed to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court over allegations that she engaged in sexual acts with an XL Bully dog. The court hearing was cancelled due to her absence, and a warrant for her arrest remains active.
Allegations and Charges
Watson was charged after footage allegedly showing her engaging in sex acts with a dog was circulated on social media and reported to police. She is accused of having an 'unnatural connection' with a dog at a property in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, between June and December 2024. The alleged offence took place while she was under four separate bail orders.
She previously failed to appear in court in June, which led to a warrant being issued for her arrest. Depute fiscal Robbie McDougall informed Sheriff Liam Murphy that the hearing was 'cancelled' due to her absence, according to the Daily Record.
Legal Proceedings and Unknowns
Prosecutors told a previous hearing that statements and video footage needed to be discussed between them and her solicitor. Watson has yet to enter a plea to the allegation. Currently, it is unknown where the dog is.
Separate Warning to Dog Owners
In a separate incident, dog owners have been urged to remain alert after reports emerged of a pet falling 'seriously ill' from consuming drugs during a beach walk. The Healthy Pet Shop in Teignmouth reported that a customer's dog tested positive for cocaine and cannabis after a walk on Back Beach last weekend. The pet's owners had to make an emergency trip to the vet.
The shop posted on Facebook: "One of our customer's dogs has been seriously ill in the vets over the weekend after becoming ill after walking on Back Beach." The dog, which weighs over 30kg, is making a recovery, but the shop noted that the incident could have been fatal for a smaller animal. Managers added: "Please be vigilant and warn all people with animals and children. The owners say this was the only place they had walked [over the weekend]."
