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Fatal attack in Bristol
Kelcie Reed, 24, avoided jail after an XL bully dog named Prince killed her teenage cousin Morgan Dorsett, 19, in a flat on Cobhorn Drive, Bishopsworth, Bristol, in February 2025.
“humanely destroyed”
The BBC said emergency services were called to the dog attack at a flat in Cobhorn Drive, Bishopsworth, but Morgan died from bites to her neck and face, after a post-mortem examination ruled.
At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Reed to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered mental health treatment.
The court heard a post-mortem examination revealed cocaine in Morgan's system, which had caused her to "act erratically," and the judge said Morgan's behaviour was unusual and when she sat up she began to scream upon seeing Prince, which led him to barking and ultimately to attack her.
The BBC also reported that the dog, which belonged to Reed and her boyfriend, was sedated at the scene and later "humanely destroyed," police said.
Judge, prosecution, and impact
Judge Anna Richardson told Reed, "Rather than putting everyone through the additional trauma of a trial, you accepted responsibility," after Reed wept in the dock as the sentence was read out.
The BBC quoted Morgan's mother Marie Smith saying the family now "lives under a shadow," with every major milestone "tainted" without her present.
Prosecutor Oliver Willmott said a neighbour heard screaming coming from the adjacent property and told the court, "She’s f****** dead".
In the same sentencing context, the BBC reported that Richardson said Reed attempted to intervene and stop the attack, suffering cuts and bruises herself, but was ultimately "unsuccessful."
The Liverpool Echo also described the earlier court account that Reed told emergency services at the scene that her cousin had suffered a seizure and that she had tried to put herself between Ms Dorsett and the dog.
Legislation and enforcement
The BBC reported that the family say they are working alongside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a bid to remove "loopholes" from current legislation around banned dog breeds.
“complex and challenging”
The BBC said this will look at whether a dog is living with someone other than the exemption certificate holder, which can be difficult to track and enforce.
Det Sgt Rich Glanville from Avon and Somerset Police described the investigation as "complex and challenging," adding it was the "first of its kind" for the force.
In the Liverpool Echo account, the court heard the XL Bully had killed another dog before the fatal attack on Morgan Dorsett, and the court was told it was never reported to police.
The BBC also quoted Glanville saying, "The dog is on the [banned breeds] list for a reason, but owners have to be responsible as well," tying the case to responsibility for dog owners and suitable precautions.