WILLIAM ALLAN FROM MERKINCH SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL DOG ATTACK IN INVERNESS

William Allan, a resident of Merkinch, Inverness, has been sentenced to eight months in prison following a violent and disturbing assault on a Labrador dog named Bono. The incident, which took place in Inverness, shocked the local community and drew significant attention from the courts due to its brutality and the nature of the injuries inflicted.

Allan, born on December 24, 1968, and known by the nickname 'Hog', was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Bono, who was owned by his former partner. The court heard that Allan repeatedly struck the dog on the head and mouth using a shovel or a similar blunt instrument. The attack was described as sustained and vicious, with the injuries to Bono being severe enough to break the dog’s teeth and cause blood to splatter across the walls of the premises.

During the trial, a social worker report was presented, highlighting Allan’s history of persistent offending. Despite this, Allan maintained his innocence, claiming that the dog had followed him out of the door, which then slammed shut on his head. However, the court did not accept this explanation, considering it implausible given the evidence presented.

The sheriff overseeing the case pointed out Allan’s prior convictions and his ongoing pattern of violent behavior. Addressing Allan directly, the sheriff stated, “You have a history of violent behaviour. You were found guilty of beating the dog repeatedly for a sustained period with a weapon. There were injuries – the dog’s teeth were broken and blood was splattered all over the walls. You then went on to lie about it. You have shown a lack of remorse and you still deny the incident. It was an abhorrent act and has had a lasting effect on those who witnessed it.”

While the sheriff acknowledged the severity of the crime, he also noted that Bono had made a physical recovery, which influenced the decision not to impose a longer sentence. The sheriff concluded, “The only reason I am not jailing you for 12 months is that the dog has made a physical recovery.”

In his defense, solicitor Marc Dickson argued that Allan was on medication for anxiety, suggesting that his condition might have contributed to what he described as “spontaneous acts.” Despite this, the court’s verdict was a sentence of eight months in prison, with no mention of a ban on owning animals in the future.

This case has once again brought attention to issues of animal cruelty in Inverness and the importance of holding offenders accountable for such heinous acts, especially in communities like Merkinch where residents are deeply concerned about animal welfare and public safety.