DEAN MACLENNAN SEATON ABERDEEN DOG ATTACK SHOCKER

Dean MacLennan, a resident of Linksfield Court in Seaton, Aberdeen, has been convicted of a brutal and unprovoked attack on a dog in the early hours of May 22, 2022, on Union Street in Aberdeen. The incident has drawn significant attention due to its violent nature and the circumstances surrounding it.

According to court reports, MacLennan, born around 1993, was present on Union Street along with a woman and her friends, who were accompanied by her dog, a Staffy named Bella. Witnesses described the scene as a casual gathering, with all parties engaged in conversation. However, the situation took a disturbing turn when MacLennan, who was an acquaintance of the woman, suddenly and without any apparent provocation, kicked Bella directly in the face with his right foot. The force of the kick was so severe that the dog was sent flying backwards, causing visible distress and injury.

MacLennan later claimed that the dog had bitten him on the face, but this assertion was contradicted by CCTV footage and the absence of any injuries on his face. The footage clearly showed MacLennan unprovokedly kicking Bella, who was at no point displaying any aggressive or dangerous behavior. The court was told that the dog was innocent in the incident and that the attack was entirely unwarranted.

Following the assault, a verbal altercation ensued between MacLennan and the dog’s owner, which attracted the attention of police officers nearby. When questioned, MacLennan maintained that the dog had bitten him, but the police found no evidence to support this claim. The CCTV footage, which was taken from a distance, confirmed the unprovoked nature of the attack.

Tragically, the woman who owned Bella passed away shortly after the incident, adding a somber note to the case. MacLennan pleaded guilty to the charge of kicking Bella in the head. His defense lawyer, David Sutherland, argued that MacLennan believed he had been bitten by the dog and that the footage did not capture the entire incident. Sutherland also attempted to downplay the severity of the attack, suggesting that Staffies are commonly owned by individuals involved in drug circles and implying that MacLennan’s actions were not indicative of a pattern of violence towards animals.

During the sentencing, Sheriff Margaret Hodge expressed her skepticism about imposing a ban on MacLennan owning animals, citing his long history of violence and the fact that he owns a dog himself. She remarked that such a ban would be inappropriate given the circumstances, especially considering the time and place—Union Street at midnight. Sutherland agreed with the sheriff’s assessment and highlighted MacLennan’s struggles with mental health issues.

Ultimately, Sheriff Hodge decided to impose a fine of £290 on MacLennan, but with no option for immediate payment. This meant that he would serve a 14-day prison sentence if the fine remained unpaid. Regarding the possibility of disqualifying him from owning pets, the sheriff stated that there was no evidence of extended conduct involving animals that would justify such a measure. The case underscores the seriousness of animal cruelty and the judicial system’s response to unprovoked attacks on defenseless animals in Aberdeen.