Court orders bitey 'Bruc' to be kept under control

Dog owner appears at Douglas Courthouse

A dog owner from Douglas has been ordered to keep his canine under control after it bit two members of the public.

Robin Williams, of Westbourne Drive, appeared at Douglas Courthouse today (19 March).

The 54-year-old admitted being the keeper of a dog which caused injury to another person, on two separate occasions, last year.

On 20 September 2023 Williams had been walking ‘Bruc’ – a white Catalan shepherd – around Westbourne Drive near to Ballakermeen Stores.

When another man crossed their path Bruc jumped up at him, biting his upper left thigh and leaving two bite marks.

Two months later, on 23 November, Williams was walking Bruc in the same area when he bit the right leg of a man who walked past him; this time he left multiple teeth marks.

In police interview Williams accepted he was at fault telling officers Bruc was a rescue dog from Spain and he wasn’t fully aware of his past.

The court heard he’s now started using a muzzle, and stronger harness, when out in public and varies the routes they walk.  

A photo of Bruc wearing his muzzle was presented to the deputy high bailiff.

Williams’ advocate told the court the injuries sustained by both men were ‘relatively minor’ and his client had paid for a new pair of trousers for one of them as they’d been ripped in the incident.

“Somewhat, bizarrely, both incidents took place in almost the same place,” he added.

Imposing a control order which means Williams must keep Bruc under proper control at all times Rachael Braidwood also ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £50.  

“It appears steps have been taken to prevent reoccurrence,” she acknowledged.