A woman who was in charge of an out of control XL bully which killed her teenage cousin has avoided prison.
Morgan Dorsett, 19, died when she was attacked by the large dog in February last year.
Kelcie Reed, 24, received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
The XL bully named Prince fatally injured Miss Dorsett inside a flat at Cobhorn Drive, Withywood, Bristol, on February 26 2025.
Ms Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, suffered fatal bites to her neck and head, Bristol Crown Court heard.
At a previous hearing Reed pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.
Imposing the suspended sentence with a nine-month mental health treatment requirement, Judge Anna Richardson said: “This is a case that was utterly tragic for Morgan Dorsett’s family and it has also had a huge impact upon you.
“I accept not a comparable impact, but a huge impact.
“The sentence that I pass, regardless of where I found this case was on the guidelines would, I suspect, appear entirely inadequate to Morgan’s family.
“That is because the harm that has been suffered is of the greatest possible magnitude for her loved ones.
“The effect of this order is that you have a prison sentence.
“If you do not attend appointments in the next 18 months, and if you do not complete the treatment requirement, then you serve that prison sentence.”
The dog, which was confirmed to be an XL bully, was sedated at the scene and was later put down, police said.
XL bullies are banned in the UK due to a string of “concerning” attacks and it is illegal to own one without a certificate of exemption.
Breeding, selling, and abandoning the dogs is also illegal.
Figures obtained by The Independent showed there were at least 23,000 reported dog attacks in the 12 months since the ban began.
A Defra spokesperson said at the time: “The ban on XL bullies is there to protect public safety and we expect all XL bully owners to comply with the strict conditions.
“Ongoing dog attacks show we need to do more to protect public safety. We will continue to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog and to consider whether the current dog control rules are sufficient to ensure communities are protected.”
