Inverness Sheriff Court hears how three families were attached by dogs in Kyle of Lochalsh

Three families were attacked by two small dogs who had been let loose without supervision in a Wester Ross fishing village.

A Jack Russell called Lucky first jumped up on a woman as she pushed her baby in a pram along Station Road in Kyle of Lochalsh on January 22, 2021.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard it bit the mother on the thigh and she required antibiotic treatment.

Then Lucky and another terrier called Plucky became aggressive with another woman pushing a pram on Stony Road on March 2.

Fiscal depute Pauline Gair said the animals were biting at the woman's ankles and she fended them off with her feet.

"The dogs also tried to get in the pram and she crossed the road to get away from them." Mrs Gair added.

Five days later, on March 7, a couple in Railway Terrace pushing a buggy containing twins were the next target. The woman was bitten on the ankle, causing a puncture wound and she was also scratched.

Catherine Joyce of Railway Terrace, Kyle appeared before Sheriff David Sutherland and admitted three charges of failing to keep the dogs under control.

Defence solicitor Roger Webb said: "Her life was running out of control at the time. She had a horrendous few months. Her mother, who owned the dogs, was terminally ill and moved in with my client. She has since died, as has my client's father and brother.

"The dogs were surrendered to the local dog warden and were placed with Munlochy Animal Aid for re-homing."

The 34 year old had sentence deferred until November 17 for a background report.