Dog spared being put down despite biting police officers in Kelso and Galashiels

Mark Turnbull, 31, of Berrymoss Court in Kelso, was found guilty after a trial of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.

His lurcher jumped on officers in Abbotseat at Kelso on May 31 and bit one’s hand to his injury.

It later lunged towards police officers and bit another constable at Gala Water Retail Park in Galashiels on August 15.

Sentence had been deferred at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to determine whether the dog should be put down.

Instead, though, sheriff Mungo Bovey ordered that it be muzzled when out in public and neutered, as well as ordering that Turnbull make alternative arrangements for it to be looked after if he is elsewhere.

A drug treatment and testing order assessment has been ordered for Turnbull, and the case will recall on Monday, March 2.