A woman has been cleared of an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act after her pitbull left a mother and daughter with life-changing scars. Christina O'Driscoll, 29, told Airdrie Sheriff Court that her dog Bud, a boxer-bully cross, was protecting her when it attacked Tanya Kanstantsinava, 38, and her then 14-year-old daughter.
Attack and injuries
The incident occurred at a property in Coatbridge on 5 September last year. Kanstantsinava was mauled in the face and body after the dog tackled her to the ground. Her daughter came out to help but the dog tore into her lip. Both were taken to Monklands Hospital and then transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where they received multiple stitches. Kanstantsinava was treated for wounds on her neck, nose and chin, while her daughter underwent emergency surgery to mend her lip, which was described as "hanging off her face".
Court proceedings
During the trial, a jury took just 10 minutes to return a not guilty verdict. The jury was shown a video from O'Driscoll's phone that appeared to show Kanstantsinava striking her as she answered the door. O'Driscoll said: "Twenty minutes later she was back at my flat, screaming, shouting, banging and kicking the door. She was trying to break in. The door was coming in on me and I opened it." She added: "I tried to get my phone to film her again but Tanya's partner stopped me by pinning me against the wall. That's when the dog bit Tanya. I couldn't prevent it."
Aftermath and reactions
Kanstantsinava, giving evidence through a Russian interpreter, denied acting aggressively and said there was a "river of blood" after the attack. She told the court she was left with scars, numbness and breathing difficulties. Speaking earlier, she said: "It was agonising and terrifying. I was knocked to the ground and bitten multiple times across my face and neck." Her daughter's lip was left "hanging off". O'Driscoll claimed Kanstantsinava had been reported for anti-social behaviour. A neighbour said: "Tanya caused trouble for everyone in the block." The dog had been held in kennels pending the trial. O'Driscoll expressed relief that Bud would not be put down, but said she did not know if she would get him back.
